Image pickup device and method enabling control of spectral sensitivity and exposure time

ABSTRACT

[Object] The present technique relates to an image pickup device, an image pickup method, and a program that enables pixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities to be controlled while changing exposure times. 
     [Solving Means] The present technique is applicable to an image pickup device including pixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities, that include pixels having a panchromatic spectral sensitivity and are arranged on an image pickup surface, pixels that realize a first exposure and pixels that realize a second exposure different from the first exposure being arranged on the image pickup surface with respect to the 4 types of spectral sensitivities. Further, a first line in which first pixels having the panchromatic spectral sensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in a specific direction and a second line in which the first pixels are arranged while deviating by one pixel from the first line in the specific direction are arranged alternately in a direction orthogonal to the specific direction, and pixels having spectral sensitivities different from the spectral sensitivity of the first pixels are arranged in a 2- or 4-pixel cycle in the specific direction for each of the spectral sensitivities and 2-dimensionally constitute a cyclic arrangement of 4×4 pixels in which the first spectral sensitivity pixels are arranged in a checkerboard arrangement.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technique relates to an image pickup device, an image pickupmethod, and a program, more specifically, to an image pickup device, animage pickup method, and a program that are favorable for enlarging adynamic range by reading out a plurality of pixels at a plurality ofexposure timings.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, electronic apparatuses such as an image pickupapparatus, that each photograph a subject such as a person to generatean image (image data) and record the generated image (image data) as animage content (image file) have prevailed, the image pickup apparatusbeing exemplified by a digital still camera. As an image pickup deviceused in such electronic apparatuses, a CCD (Charge Coupled Sensor)sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and thelike are widely used.

There is a dynamic range as one of performance axes of image sensors.The dynamic range is a width of brightness of incident light that can beconverted into an effective image signal. The larger the dynamic range,the higher the performance is since dark light to bright light can beconverted into image signals.

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a system called SVE (SpatiallyVarying Exposure) for enlarging a dynamic range of an image sensor.

Pixels of normal image sensors include a photodiode (PD) that convertsincident light into charges by a photoelectric conversion. Since anaccumulable charge amount of the pixels is determined, a charge overflowoccurs with respect to incident light that is too strong, and signalscannot be taken out no more. Further, due to noises generated in pixelsand a circuit for reading, generated charges are buried in the noises sothat signals cannot be taken out with respect to incident light that istoo weak.

In this regard, the SVE system is a system in which pixels havingdifferent sensitivities are arranged in a predetermined arrangementpattern so that signals can be acquired from pixels having a highsensitivity in a dark part of a scene and pixels having a lowsensitivity in a bright part of the scene. As a method of changing thesensitivity for each pixel, there is a method that uses an electronicshutter control mechanism of an image sensor in addition to a method ofchanging a pixel aperture ratio and a method that uses on-chip filtershaving different optical transmittances. Patent Document 1 proposes amethod that uses an electronic shutter control mechanism in a CCD imagesensor.

Patent Document 2 proposes an image sensor in which 4 types of pixelsincluding pixels having a spectral sensitivity for acquiring luminancesignals and pixels having 3 types of spectral sensitivities foracquiring color signals are arranged. As an example of such a colorarrangement, Patent Document 2 discloses an arrangement in which pixelsfor acquiring luminance signals are arranged in a checkerboardarrangement and pixels having R, G, and B spectral sensitivities foracquiring color signals are arranged at remaining positions in thecheckerboard arrangement.

Patent Document 3 discloses an example of an exposure pattern in a casewhere an image is taken using the SVE system in the pixel arrangementdisclosed in Patent Document 2.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-135200

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-243334

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-257193

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Patent Document 1 describes a pixel control method for taking an imageusing the SVE system in the image sensor having a color arrangement of 3colors of RGB (red, green, and blue). Patent Document 2 describes atechnique of combining 1 pixel for acquiring a luminance signal and 3pixels for acquiring color signals. Patent Document 3 describes anexposure pattern in the case where an image is taken using the SVEsystem in the pixel arrangement disclosed in Patent Document 2.

However, in the image sensor that uses the combination of 1 pixel foracquiring a luminance signal and 3 pixels for acquiring color signals,there is no description on the pixel control method or structure forrealizing the image pickup using the SVE system. Even when using 4pixels, pixel control for realizing the image pickup using the SVEsystem is desired. By enabling an image to be taken by the SVE systemusing 4 pixels, it is expected that the dynamic range will be enlarged,and performance will be additionally improved.

The present technique has been made in view of the circumstances asdescribed above and therefore aims at enlarging a dynamic range andadditionally improving performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to an aspect of the present technique, there is provided animage pickup device including pixels having 4 types of spectralsensitivities, that include pixels having a panchromatic spectralsensitivity and are arranged on an image pickup surface, pixels thatrealize a first exposure and pixels that realize a second exposuredifferent from the first exposure being arranged on the image pickupsurface with respect to the 4 types of spectral sensitivities.

A first line in which first pixels having the panchromatic spectralsensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in a specific directionand a second line in which the first pixels are arranged while deviatingby one pixel from the first line in the specific direction may bearranged alternately in a direction orthogonal to the specificdirection, and pixels having spectral sensitivities different from thespectral sensitivity of the first pixels may be arranged in a 2- or4-pixel cycle in the specific direction for each of the spectralsensitivities and 2-dimensionally constitute a cyclic arrangement of 4×4pixels in which the first spectral sensitivity pixels are arranged in acheckerboard arrangement.

The image pickup device may further include three pixel transfer controlsignal lines per line, each pixel transfer control signal line beingused for controlling an exposure start timing and end timing of aplurality of pixels constituting the 1 line in the specific direction, afirst pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the first line may transmit a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 2-pixel cycle in the firstline and have the same spectral sensitivity, a second pixel transfercontrol signal line out of the pixel transfer control signal lines inthe first line may transmit a transfer control signal to the pixels thatare arranged in the 4-pixel cycle in the first line and have the samespectral sensitivity, a third pixel transfer control signal line out ofthe pixel transfer control signal lines in the first line may transmit atransfer control signal to the pixels that are arranged in the 4-pixelcycle in the first line and have the same spectral sensitivity, thefirst pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the second line may transmit a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 2-pixel cycle in thesecond line and have the same spectral sensitivity, the second pixeltransfer control signal line out of the pixel transfer control signallines in the second line may transmit a transfer control signal to thepixels that are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle in the second line andhave the same spectral sensitivity, the third pixel transfer controlsignal line out of the pixel transfer control signal lines in the secondline may transmit a transfer control signal to the pixels that arearranged in the 4-pixel cycle in the second line and have the samespectral sensitivity, and each of the pixel transfer control signallines may transmit a pixel transfer control signal at a first timing torealize the first exposure or a second timing to realize the secondexposure.

One A/D converter may be shared by two adjacent pixels in the specificdirection, and exposure timings of the two adjacent pixels may beshifted using at least two of the pixel transfer control signal lines.

One floating diffusion may be shared by a pixel group constituted of aplurality of pixels.

The cyclic arrangement of 4×4 pixels may include the first line in whichthe first pixels and second pixels having a second spectral sensitivityare arranged alternately in the specific direction and the second linein which the first pixels are arranged in the 2-pixel cycle and thirdpixels having a third spectral sensitivity and fourth pixels having afourth spectral sensitivity are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle atremaining pixel positions in the specific direction, the first line andthe second line being arranged alternately in a direction orthogonal tothe specific direction.

The first pixel transfer control signal line of the first line and thefirst pixel transfer control signal line of the second line may becontrolled to transmit control signals at different timings, the secondpixel transfer control signal line and the third pixel transfer controlsignal line of the first line may be controlled to transmit controlsignals at different timings, the second pixel transfer control signalline of the second line and the pixel transfer control signal line withrespect to the third pixels in a fourth line may be controlled totransmit control signals at different timings, and the pixel transfercontrol signal line with respect to the fourth pixels in the second lineand the pixel transfer control signal line with respect to the fourthpixels in the fourth line may be controlled to transmit control signalsat different timings.

The image pickup device may further include, at each pixel position: afirst processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the first exposure of the first spectral sensitivity at thepixel position; a second processing section that calculates aninterpolation value of signals for the second exposure of the firstspectral sensitivity at the pixel position; a third processing sectionthat calculates an interpolation value of signals for the first exposureof the second spectral sensitivity at the pixel position; a fourthprocessing section that calculates an interpolation value of signals forthe second exposure of the second spectral sensitivity at the pixelposition; a fifth processing section that calculates an interpolationvalue of signals for the first exposure of a third spectral sensitivityat the pixel position; a sixth processing section that calculates aninterpolation value of signals for the second exposure of the thirdspectral sensitivity at the pixel position; a seventh processing sectionthat calculates an interpolation value of signals for the first exposureof a fourth spectral sensitivity at the pixel position; and an eighthprocessing section that calculates an interpolation value of signals forthe second exposure of the fourth spectral sensitivity at the pixelposition.

The image pickup device may further include a ninth processing sectionthat calculates, from the interpolation values of the signals for thefirst exposure or the second exposure of the first to fourth spectralsensitivities at the pixel position, that have been calculated by thefirst to eighth processing sections, a combined interpolation value ofthe second spectral sensitivity, the third spectral sensitivity, and thefourth spectral sensitivity.

The image pickup device may further include a conversion section thatconverts the interpolation value output from the ninth processingsection into a Bayer arrangement.

The ninth processing section may include processing of convertingsignals read out from the pixels into a nonlinear gradation.

The processing of converting signals into a nonlinear gradation mayinclude processing of converting signals based on upwardly-convex powerfunction characteristics.

The processing of converting signals into a nonlinear gradation mayinclude processing of converting signals based on logarithm gradationcharacteristics.

The image pickup device may further include: a logarithm conversionprocessing section that logarithmically converts signals from the pixelsarranged on the image pickup surface; and a logarithm reverse conversionprocessing section that logarithmically reverse-converts theinterpolation value output from the ninth processing section, and thefirst to eighth processing sections may carry out the processing usingvalues obtained by the conversion of the logarithm conversion processingsection.

The image pickup device may further include: a logarithm conversionprocessing section that logarithmically converts signals from the pixelsarranged on the image pickup surface; and a logarithm reverse conversionprocessing section that logarithmically reverse-converts theinterpolation value output from the conversion section, and the first toeighth processing sections may carry out the processing using valuesobtained by the conversion of the logarithm conversion processingsection.

According to the aspect of the present technique, there is provided animage pickup method for an image pickup device including pixels having 4types of spectral sensitivities, that include pixels having apanchromatic spectral sensitivity and are arranged on an image pickupsurface, pixels that realize a first exposure and pixels that realize asecond exposure different from the first exposure being arranged on theimage pickup surface with respect to the 4 types of spectralsensitivities, a first line in which first pixels having thepanchromatic spectral sensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in aspecific direction and a second line in which the first pixels arearranged while deviating by one pixel from the first line in thespecific direction being arranged alternately in a direction orthogonalto the specific direction, and pixels having spectral sensitivitiesdifferent from the spectral sensitivity of the first pixels beingarranged in a 2- or 4-pixel cycle in the specific direction for each ofthe spectral sensitivities and 2-dimensionally constituting a cyclicarrangement of 4×4 pixels in which the first spectral sensitivity pixelsare arranged in a checkerboard arrangement, the method including thestep of transmitting, to three pixel transfer control signal linesprovided per line, each pixel transfer control signal line being usedfor controlling an exposure start timing and end timing of a pluralityof pixels constituting the 1 line in the specific direction, a pixeltransfer control signal at a first timing to realize the first exposureor a second timing to realize the second exposure.

According to the aspect of the present technique, there is provided aprogram that causes a computer to control an image pickup deviceincluding pixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities, that includepixels having a panchromatic spectral sensitivity and are arranged on animage pickup surface, pixels that realize a first exposure and pixelsthat realize a second exposure different from the first exposure beingarranged on the image pickup surface with respect to the 4 types ofspectral sensitivities, a first line in which first pixels having thepanchromatic spectral sensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in aspecific direction and a second line in which the first pixels arearranged while deviating by one pixel from the first line in thespecific direction being arranged alternately in a direction orthogonalto the specific direction, and pixels having spectral sensitivitiesdifferent from the spectral sensitivity of the first pixels beingarranged in a 2- or 4-pixel cycle in the specific direction for each ofthe spectral sensitivities and 2-dimensionally constituting a cyclicarrangement of 4×4 pixels in which the first spectral sensitivity pixelsare arranged in a checkerboard arrangement, the program includingprocessing including the step of transmitting, to three pixel transfercontrol signal lines provided per line, each pixel transfer controlsignal line being used for controlling an exposure start timing and endtiming of a plurality of pixels constituting the 1 line in the specificdirection, a pixel transfer control signal at a first timing to realizethe first exposure or a second timing to realize the second exposure.

In the image pickup device, the image pickup method, and the programaccording to the aspect of the present technique, pixels having 4 typesof spectral sensitivities, that include pixels having a panchromaticspectral sensitivity, are arranged on an image pickup surface, andpixels that realize a first exposure and pixels that realize a secondexposure different from the first exposure are arranged on the imagepickup surface with respect to the 4 types of spectral sensitivities, torealize the first exposure and the second exposure.

Effect of the Invention

According to the aspect of the present technique, the dynamic range canbe enlarged, and the performance can be additionally improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A diagram showing an example of an arrangement of color filtersmounted on a light reception section of an image pickup device.

FIG. 2 A diagram showing a pixel arrangement regarding the color filtersmounted to the light reception section of the image pickup device andexposure times according to an embodiment to which the present techniqueis applied.

FIG. 3 A diagram showing wirings of control signal lines for realizingexposure time control in the image pickup device.

FIG. 4 A diagram showing an example of the pixel arrangement indicatingthe color filters mounted to the light reception section of the imagepickup device and the exposure times.

FIG. 5 A diagram showing an example of the pixel arrangement indicatingthe color filters mounted to the light reception section of the imagepickup device and the exposure times.

FIG. 6 A diagram showing an example of the pixel arrangement indicatingthe color filters mounted to the light reception section of the imagepickup device and the exposure times.

FIG. 7 A diagram showing a structural example of a basic circuit ofpixels included in an image pickup device according to a firstembodiment.

FIG. 8 A diagram showing a structural example of a pixel control circuitand pixel wirings in the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 9 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 10 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 11 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 12 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 13 A diagram showing a structural example of a pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in an image pickup device according to asecond embodiment.

FIG. 14 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 15 A diagram showing a structural example of a basic circuit ofpixels included in an image pickup device according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 16 A diagram showing a structural example of a pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in the image pickup device according to thethird embodiment.

FIG. 17 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 18 A diagram showing a structural example of a basic circuit ofpixels included in an image pickup device according to a fourthembodiment.

FIG. 19 A diagram showing a structural example of a pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in the image pickup device according to thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 20 A timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 21 A block diagram showing a functional structure example of animage pickup apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 22 A block diagram showing a functional structure example of animage processing section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 23 A diagram showing an example of interpolation filtercoefficients used by a WL high-frequency interpolation section and a WShigh-frequency interpolation section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 24 A diagram showing an example of interpolation filtercoefficients used by a WL low-frequency interpolation section, a WSlow-frequency interpolation section, a GL low-frequency interpolationsection, a GS low-frequency interpolation section, an RL low-frequencyinterpolation section, an RS low-frequency interpolation section, a BLlow-frequency interpolation section, and a BS low-frequencyinterpolation section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 25 A block diagram showing a functional structure example of an HDRcombination section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 26 A diagram for schematically explaining an operation of the HDRcombination section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 27 A diagram showing weight value characteristics of the HDRcombination section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 A block diagram showing a functional structure example forprocessing of a conversion into RGB Bayer data in an image pickup deviceaccording to another application example.

FIG. 29 A block diagram showing a functional structure example in whicha processing position of a logarithm conversion is changed in the imageprocessing section according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 30 A block diagram showing a functional structure example in whicha processing position of the logarithm conversion is changed in theprocessing of a conversion into RGB Bayer data in an image pickup deviceaccording to another application example.

FIG. 31 A diagram showing another example of an arrangement of colorfilters mounted to a light reception section of an applicable imagepickup device.

FIG. 32 A diagram showing another example of an arrangement of colorfilters mounted to a light reception section of an applicable imagepickup device.

FIG. 33 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 34 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 35 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 36 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 37 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 38 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 39 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

FIG. 40 A diagram showing an example of an exposure control pattern ofan applicable image pickup device.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, structures for embodying the present technique(hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described. It shouldbe noted that the descriptions will be given in the following order.

1. First embodiment (example where 3 pixel transfer control signal linesare provided on 1 line in horizontal direction)

2. Second embodiment (example of image pickup device in which 2 pixelsin horizontal direction share single A/D converter)

3. Third embodiment (example of image pickup device in which 4 pixels invertical direction share single FD)

4. Fourth embodiment (example of image pickup device in which 8 pixelsshare FD)

5. Fifth embodiment (example of image pickup apparatus)

6. Other application examples

The present technique is applicable to an image pickup device. There area CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal OxideSemiconductor) sensor, and the like as the image pickup device. Thepresent technique is also applicable to an image sensor in which 4pixels that output color light of R (red), G (green), B (blue), and W(white) are arranged.

The 4 pixels that output color light of R (red), G (green), B (blue),and W (white) are arranged in a matrix in a display area as shown inFIG. 1, for example. In FIG. 1, rectangles each schematically representa pixel. Further, inside the rectangles, symbols each indicating thetype of color filters (color light output by each pixel) are shown. Forexample, “G” is assigned to a G pixel, “R” is assigned to an R pixel,“B” is assigned to a B pixel, and “W” is assigned to a W pixel. The sameholds true for the descriptions below.

The W pixels function as pixels having a panchromatic spectralsensitivity, and the R, G, and B pixels function as pixels havingspectral sensitivities of respective color characteristics. The presenttechnique is applicable to an image pickup device (image sensor) inwhich pixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities including thepanchromatic spectral sensitivity are arranged on an image pickupsurface as described above.

The image sensor shown in FIG. 1 shows an arrangement in which the Rpixels, G pixels, B pixels, and W pixels are arranged in first to eighthrows and first to eighth columns. FIG. 1 shows a part of the imagesensor, and structures of the R pixels, G pixels, B pixels, and W pixelsarranged in other rows and columns, excluding the R pixels, G pixels, Bpixels, and W pixels arranged in the first to eighth rows and first toeighth columns, are also the same.

When the description is made as pixel 10 (m, n) in the descriptionsbelow, for example, m represents the row and n represents the column. Inaddition, the row indicates a horizontal direction in which horizontalsignal lines (not shown) are arranged, and the column indicates avertical direction in which vertical signal lines (not shown) arearranged. For example, a pixel 10 (2, 1) represents a pixel positionedat a first column in a second row. In addition, positions of the pixelsare expressed using the upper left pixel 10 (1, 1) as a reference. Thesame holds true for other figures.

The structure of the image sensor in the horizontal direction (lateraldirection or row direction in FIG. 1) will be described. In the firstrow, the W pixel 10 (1, 1), the G pixel 10 (1, 2), the W pixel 10 (1,3), the G pixel 10 (1, 4), the W pixel 10 (1, 5), the G pixel 10 (1, 6),the W pixel 10 (1, 7), and the G pixel 10 (1, 8) are arranged. In thiscase, the W pixels and the G pixels are arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the R pixel 10 (2, 1), the W pixel 10 (2, 2), the Bpixel 10 (2, 3), the W pixel 10 (2, 4), the R pixel 10 (2, 5), the Wpixel 10 (2, 6), the B pixel 10 (2, 7), and the W pixel 10 (2, 8) arearranged. In this case, the R pixels, the W pixels, and the B pixels arearranged in the second row.

In the third row, the W pixels and the G pixels are alternately arrangedas in the first row.

In the fourth row, the R pixels, the W pixels, and the B pixels arearranged as in the second row, but the first pixel is not the R pixeland is the B pixel.

Specifically, in the fourth row, the B pixel 10 (4, 1), the W pixel 10(4, 2), the R pixel 10 (4, 3), the W pixel 10 (4, 4), the B pixel 10 (4,5), the W pixel 10 (4, 6), the R pixel 10 (4, 7), and the W pixel 10 (4,8) are arranged.

In the fifth and seventh rows, the W pixels and the G pixels arearranged alternately as in the first row. In the sixth row, the Rpixels, the W pixels, and the B pixels are arranged as in the secondrow. In the eighth row, the B pixels, the W pixels, and the R pixels arearranged as in the fourth row.

When the row direction is set as a specific direction in the colorarrangement shown in FIG. 1 and focusing on the W pixels having thepanchromatic spectral sensitivity in the specific direction, there are afirst line in which the W pixels are arranged in a 2-pixel cycle and asecond line in which the W pixels are arranged while deviating by 1pixel from the first line in the specific direction. In addition, thefirst line and the second line are arranged alternately in a directionorthogonal to the specific direction (column direction).

Further, the R pixels, the G pixels, and the B pixels having spectralsensitivities different from that of the W pixels are arranged in a 2-or 4-pixel cycle in the specific direction for each of the spectralsensitivities. For example, the G pixels are arranged in the 2-pixelcycle in the first line, and the R pixels and the B pixels are arrangedin the 4-pixel cycle in the second line.

As described above, the color arrangement is made such that the cyclicarrangement of 4×4 pixels, in which the W pixels are in a checkerboardarrangement, is obtained.

When applying an SVE (Spatially Varying Exposure) system to the imagesensor in which pixels, that include the color filters (CFs) of 4 colorsof RGBW, receive light that has transmitted through the color filters,and output color light, are arranged as described above, pixels havingdifferent sensitivities are arranged to result in the pixel arrangementas shown in FIG. 2.

First Embodiment

<Pixel Arrangement Example Regarding Color Filters and Exposure Times>

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the pixel arrangementregarding the color filters mounted to a light reception section of theimage pickup device according to a first embodiment of the presenttechnique. The pixel arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is basically the sameas that shown in FIG. 1 except that pixels having differentsensitivities are arranged.

In FIG. 2, the rectangles that are not hatched inside represent longexposure pixels, and rectangles that are hatched inside represent shortexposure pixels. Moreover, indicated inside each rectangle are a symbolindicating the type of color filter and a symbol indicating either along exposure or a short exposure.

For example, “GL” is assigned to the long exposure pixels out of the Gpixels to be described as GL pixels, and “GS” is assigned to the shortexposure pixels to be described as GS pixels. Similarly, “RL” isassigned to the long exposure pixels out of the R pixels to be describedas RL pixels, and “RS” is assigned to the short exposure pixels to bedescribed as RS pixels.

Further, “BL” is assigned to the long exposure pixels out of the Bpixels to be described as BL pixels, and “BS” is assigned to the shortexposure pixels to be described as BS pixels. Furthermore, “WL” isassigned to the long exposure pixels out of the W pixels to be describedas WL pixels, and “WS” is assigned to the short exposure pixels to bedescribed as WS pixels.

The long exposure pixels are pixels read out by consecutively exposingthem (long exposure) within a certain exposure period, and the shortexposure pixels are pixels from which only signals obtained by anexposure shorter than a predetermined exposure time are obtained withina certain exposure period.

It should be noted that although this embodiment exemplifies the casewhere the pixels that realize the two types of exposures, that is, thelong exposure and the short exposure, are arranged on the image pickupsurface, it does not mean that the present technique is applicable onlyto the case of realizing the two types of exposures. The presenttechnique is also applicable to the case of realizing two or more typesof exposures.

The present technique is not limited to the two types of exposures, thatis, the long exposure and the short exposure, and is also applicable todifferent types of exposures such as a first exposure and a secondexposure that have different exposure times even when the first exposureand the second exposure are both temporally categorized as the longexposure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the color arrangement of the color filters accordingto the first embodiment of the present technique is the same as the4-color arrangement shown in FIG. 1. In the present technique, withrespect to the color arrangement, pixels controlled by the two types ofexposure times, that is, the long exposure and the short exposure, areformed for each color.

The structure of the image sensor in the horizontal direction (lateraldirection or row direction in FIG. 2) will be described. In the firstrow, the WL pixel 20 (1, 1), the GL pixel 20 (1, 2), the WL pixel 20 (1,3), the GS pixel 20 (1, 4), the WL pixel 20 (1, 5), the GL pixel 20 (1,6), the WL pixel 20 (1, 7), and the GS pixel 20 (1, 8) are arranged. Inthis case, the WL pixels as the long exposure pixels, the GL pixels asthe long exposure pixels, and the GS pixels as the short exposure pixelsare arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the RL pixel 20 (2, 1), the WS pixel 20 (2, 2), theBL pixel 20 (2, 3), the WS pixel 20 (2, 4), the RL pixel 20 (2, 5), theWS pixel 20 (2, 6), the BL pixel 20 (2, 7), and the WS pixel 20 (2, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels as the short exposure pixels,the RL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the BL pixels as the longexposure pixels are arranged in the second row.

In the third row, the W pixels and the G pixels are alternately arrangedas in the first row, but the third row differs in that the pixels thathave been the GL pixels as the long exposure pixels in the first row arethe GS pixels as the short exposure pixels, and the pixels that havebeen the GS pixels as the short exposure pixels are the GL pixels as thelong exposure pixels. Specifically, the WL pixel 20 (3, 1), the GS pixel20 (3, 2), the WL pixel 20 (3, 3), the GL pixel 20 (3, 4), the WL pixel20 (3, 5), the GS pixel 20 (3, 6), the WL pixel 20 (3, 7), and the GLpixel 20 (3, 8) are arranged.

As described above, the G pixels in the same column, for example, the GLpixel 20 (1, 2) and the GS pixel 20 (3, 2) arranged in the first columnhave different exposure times. As described above, the long exposurepixels and the short exposure pixels are relatively uniformly dispersed.

In the fourth row, the R pixels, the W pixels, and the B pixels arearranged as in the second row, but the fourth row differs in that thefirst pixel is not the R pixel and is the B pixel, and all the pixelsare set to be the short exposure pixels. Specifically, in the fourthrow, the BS pixel 20 (4, 1), the WS pixel 20 (4, 2), the RS pixel 20 (4,3), the WS pixel 20 (4, 4), the BS pixel 20 (4, 5), the WS pixel 20 (4,6), the RS pixel 20 (4, 7), and the WS pixel 20 (4, 8) are arranged.

The R pixels and the B pixels are positioned in the same column like theG pixels, and the R pixels and the G pixels in the vicinity havedifferent exposure times. As described above, the long exposure pixelsand the short exposure pixels are relatively uniformly dispersed in thearrangement.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same pixel arrangements as the firstto fourth rows, which means that the arrangements are repeated every 4rows.

Such a pixel arrangement will additionally be described. In theodd-number rows (first, third, and fifth rows) from the top in the pixelarrangement shown in FIG. 2, the W pixels and the G pixels are arrangedalternately, and the W pixels out of those pixels are all set as the WLpixels as the long exposure pixels, and the G pixels are the GL pixelsas the long exposure pixels and the GS pixels as the short exposurepixels, that are arranged alternately.

In the even-number rows, the W pixels are arranged at every other pixelpositions, and the R pixels and the B pixels are alternately arranged atthe remaining pixel positions. Further, the W pixels of the even-numberrows are all WS pixels as the short exposure pixels. The R pixels andthe B pixels are either the RL pixels and BL pixels as the long exposurepixels or the RS pixels and BS pixels as the short exposure pixels inthe same row and are alternately arranged every 2 rows.

The pixel arrangement as that shown in FIG. 2 may look like having acomplex spatial pattern for the exposure, but when looking at the pixelarrangement regarding the colors and exposures, the pixels have anisotropic arrangement, and an effect that signal processing such as aninterpolation filter can be carried out with ease can therefore beexpected as will be described later.

<Wiring Example in Exposure Control>

FIG. 3 schematically shows wirings of control signal lines for realizingexposure time control of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, solid lines extending in thehorizontal direction (lateral direction in figure) indicate pixeltransfer control signal lines for controlling exposures of pixels. Inaddition, black dots on the pixel transfer control signal lines eachindicate a connection with the pixel at that position.

Though not shown in FIG. 3, the pixel arrangement is the same as thatshown in FIG. 2, and the hatched parts indicate the short exposurepixels. The descriptions will be given while referring to FIG. 2 asappropriate regarding the pixel arrangement.

As shown in FIG. 3, three pixel transfer control signal lines arearranged per line. Pixel transfer control signal lines 21-1 to 21-3 arearranged in the first row, pixel transfer control signal lines 22-1 to22-3 are arranged in the second row, pixel transfer control signal lines23-1 to 23-3 are arranged in the third row, pixel transfer controlsignal lines 24-1 to 24-3 are arranged in the fourth row, pixel transfercontrol signal lines 25-1 to 25-3 are arranged in the fifth row, pixeltransfer control signal lines 26-1 to 26-3 are arranged in the sixthrow, pixel transfer control signal lines 27-1 to 27-3 are arranged inthe seventh row, and pixel transfer control signal lines 28-1 to 28-3are arranged in the eighth row.

The pixels 20 and the pixel transfer control signal lines 21 in thefirst row will be focused. The pixel transfer control signal line 21-1is connected to the WL pixel 20 (1, 1), the WL pixel 20 (1, 3), the WLpixel 20 (1, 5), and the WL pixel 20 (1, 7). In other words, the pixeltransfer control signal line 21-1 is connected to the WL pixels as thelong exposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof.

The pixel transfer control signal line 21-2 is connected to the GL pixel20 (1, 2) and the GL pixel 20 (1, 6). In other words, the pixel transfercontrol signal line 21-2 is connected to the GL pixels as the longexposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof. The pixel transfercontrol signal line 21-3 is connected to the GS pixel 20 (1, 4) and theGS pixel 20 (1, 8). In other words, the pixel transfer control signalline 21-3 is connected to the GS pixels as the short exposure pixels andcontrols the exposures thereof.

Next, the pixels 20 and the pixel transfer control signal lines 22 inthe second row will be focused. The pixel transfer control signal line22-1 is connected to the WS pixel 20 (2, 2), the WS pixel 20 (2, 4), theWS pixel 20 (2, 6), and the WS pixel 20 (2, 8). In other words, thepixel transfer control signal line 22-1 is connected to the WS pixels asthe short exposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof.

The pixel transfer control signal line 22-2 is connected to the RL pixel20 (2, 1) and the RL pixel 20 (2, 5). In other words, the pixel transfercontrol signal line 22-2 is connected to the RL pixels as the longexposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof. The pixel transfercontrol signal line 22-3 is connected to the BL pixel 20 (2, 3) and theBL pixel 20 (2, 7). In other words, the pixel transfer control signalline 22-3 is connected to the BL pixels as the long exposure pixels andcontrols the exposures thereof.

Next, the pixels 20 and the pixel transfer control signal lines 23 inthe third row will be focused. The pixel transfer control signal line23-1 is connected to the WL pixel 20 (3, 1), the WL pixel 20 (3, 3), theWL pixel 20 (3, 5), and the WL pixel 20 (3, 7). In other words, thepixel transfer control signal line 23-1 is connected to the WL pixels asthe long exposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof.

The pixel transfer control signal line 23-2 is connected to the GL pixel20 (3, 4) and the GL pixel 20 (3, 8). In other words, the pixel transfercontrol signal line 23-2 is connected to the GL pixels as the longexposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof. The pixel transfercontrol signal line 23-3 is connected to the GS pixel 20 (3, 2) and theGS pixel 20 (3, 6). In other words, the pixel transfer control signalline 23-3 is connected to the GS pixels as the short exposure pixels andcontrols the exposures thereof.

Next, the pixels 20 and the pixel transfer control signal lines 24 inthe fourth row will be focused. The pixel transfer control signal line24-1 is connected to the WS pixel 20 (4, 2), the WS pixel 20 (4, 4), theWS pixel 20 (4, 6), and the WS pixel 20 (4, 8). In other words, thepixel transfer control signal line 24-1 is connected to the WS pixels asthe short exposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof.

The pixel transfer control signal line 24-2 is connected to the RS pixel20 (4, 3) and the RS pixel 20 (4, 7). In other words, the pixel transfercontrol signal line 24-2 is connected to the RS pixels as the shortexposure pixels and controls the exposures thereof. The pixel transfercontrol signal line 24-3 is connected to the BS pixel 20 (4, 1) and theBS pixel 20 (4, 5). In other words, the pixel transfer control signalline 24-3 is connected to the BS pixels as the short exposure pixels andcontrols the exposures thereof.

The pixel arrangements and pixel transfer control signal lineconnections in the fifth to eighth rows are the same as those of thefirst to fourth rows. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

By arranging the plurality of (three in this case) pixel transfercontrol signal lines per row as described above, control can beperformed distinguishably even when the long exposure pixels and theshort exposure pixels are both present in the same row. Further, byarranging three pixel transfer control signal lines per row, independentcontrol per color becomes possible in addition to the control of thelong exposure and the short exposure.

The W pixels have about twice the sensitivity as compared to the R, G,and B pixels for having a sensitivity across the entire wavelength bandof visible light in some cases. Therefore, only the W pixels are apt tobe saturated. According to the present technique, exposure control canbe performed for each color. Consequently, for example, it becomespossible to perform control such that only the W pixels have shorterexposure times than the R, G, and B pixels so that the W pixels are notsaturated.

The arrangement of the long exposure pixels and the short exposurepixels (exposure pattern) when applying the wirings of the pixeltransfer control signal lines shown in FIG. 3 to the pixel arrangement(color arrangement) shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to the exposurepattern shown in FIG. 2. FIGS. 4 to 6 show other examples of theexposure pattern. It should be noted that although not shown, thewirings of the pixel transfer control signal lines shown in FIG. 3 arealso applicable to a pattern with a phase difference, a pattern forjudging the long exposure and the short exposure, and the like inaddition to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6.

The color arrangements shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are the same as that ofFIG. 1 (FIG. 2). Moreover, since the first to fourth rows are repeatedas in the example shown in FIG. 1, the following descriptions will begiven on the pixels in the first to fourth rows.

Referring to FIG. 4, the WL pixel 40 (1, 1), the GL pixel 40 (1, 2), theWL pixel 40 (1, 3), the GS pixel 40 (1, 4), the WL pixel 40 (1, 5), theGL pixel 40 (1, 6), the WL pixel 40 (1, 7), and the GS pixel 40 (1, 8)are arranged in the first row. In this case, the WL pixels as the longexposure pixels, the GL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the GSpixels as the short exposure pixels are arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the RL pixel 40 (2, 1), the WS pixel 40 (2, 2), theBS pixel 40 (2, 3), the WS pixel 40 (2, 4), the RL pixel 40 (2, 5), theWS pixel 40 (2, 6), the BS pixel 40 (2, 7), and the WS pixel 40 (2, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels as the short exposure pixels,the RL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the BS pixels as theshort exposure pixels are arranged in the second row.

In the third row, the WL pixel 40 (3, 1), the GS pixel 40 (3, 2), the WLpixel 40 (3, 3), the GL pixel 40 (3, 4), the WL pixel 40 (3, 5), the GSpixel 40 (3, 6), the WL pixel 40 (3, 7), and the GL pixel 40 (3, 8) arearranged. In this case, the WL pixels as the long exposure pixels, theGL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the GS pixels as the shortexposure pixels are arranged in the third row.

In the fourth row, the BL pixel 40 (4, 1), the WS pixel 40 (4, 2), theRS pixel 40 (4, 3), the WS pixel 40 (4, 4), the BL pixel 40 (4, 5), theWS pixel 40 (4, 6), the RS pixel 40 (4, 7), and the WS pixel 40 (4, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels as the short exposure pixels,the BL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the RS pixels as theshort exposure pixels are arranged in the fourth row.

The long exposure pixels and the short exposure pixels are present inthe same row also in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 4 as in theexposure pattern shown in FIG. 2. Also in the exposure pattern shown inFIG. 4, by providing three pixel transfer control signal lines per rowas shown in FIG. 3, control can be performed distinguishably. Moreover,independent control per color becomes possible in addition to thecontrol of the long exposure and the short exposure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the WL pixel 50 (1, 1), the GL pixel 50 (1, 2), theWL pixel 50 (1, 3), the GL pixel 50 (1, 4), the WL pixel 50 (1, 5), theGL pixel 50 (1, 6), the WL pixel 50 (1, 7), and the GL pixel 50 (1, 8)are arranged in the first row. In this case, the WL pixels and the GLpixels as the long exposure pixels are arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the RL pixel 50 (2, 1), the WS pixel 50 (2, 2), theBL pixel 50 (2, 3), the WS pixel 50 (2, 4), the RL pixel 50 (2, 5), theWS pixel 50 (2, 6), the BL pixel 50 (2, 7), and the WS pixel 50 (2, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels as the short exposure pixels,the RL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the BL pixels as the longexposure pixels are arranged in the second row.

In the third row, the WL pixel 50 (3, 1), the GS pixel 50 (3, 2), the WLpixel 50 (3, 3), the GS pixel 50 (3, 4), the WL pixel 50 (3, 5), the GSpixel 50 (3, 6), the WL pixel 50 (3, 7), and the GS pixel 50 (3, 8) arearranged. In this case, the WL pixels as the long exposure pixels andthe GS pixels as the short exposure pixels are arranged in the thirdrow.

In the fourth row, the BS pixel 50 (4, 1), the WS pixel 50 (4, 2), theRS pixel 50 (4, 3), the WS pixel 50 (4, 4), the BS pixel 50 (4, 5), theWS pixel 50 (4, 6), the RS pixel 50 (4, 7), and the WS pixel 50 (4, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels, the BS pixels, and the RSpixels as the short exposure pixels are arranged in the fourth row.

The long exposure pixels and the short exposure pixels are present inthe same row also in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 5 as in theexposure pattern shown in FIG. 2. Also in the exposure pattern shown inFIG. 5, by providing three pixel transfer control signal lines per rowas shown in FIG. 3, control can be performed distinguishably. Moreover,independent control per color becomes possible in addition to thecontrol of the long exposure and the short exposure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the WL pixel 60 (1, 1), the GL pixel 60 (1, 2), theWL pixel 60 (1, 3), the GL pixel 60 (1, 4), the WL pixel 60 (1, 5), theGL pixel 60 (1, 6), the WL pixel 60 (1, 7), and the GL pixel 60 (1, 8)are arranged in the first row. In this case, the WL pixels and the GLpixels as the long exposure pixels are arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the RL pixel 60 (2, 1), the WS pixel 60 (2, 2), theBS pixel 60 (2, 3), the WS pixel 60 (2, 4), the RL pixel 60 (2, 5), theWS pixel 60 (2, 6), the BS pixel 60 (2, 7), and the WS pixel 60 (2, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels as the short exposure pixels,the RL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the BS pixels as theshort exposure pixels are arranged in the second row.

In the third row, the WL pixel 60 (3, 1), the GS pixel 60 (3, 2), the WLpixel 60 (3, 3), the GS pixel 60 (3, 4), the WL pixel 60 (3, 5), the GSpixel 60 (3, 6), the WL pixel 60 (3, 7), and the GS pixel 60 (3, 8) arearranged. In this case, the WL pixels as the long exposure pixels andthe GS pixels as the short exposure pixels are arranged in the thirdrow.

In the fourth row, the BL pixel 60 (4, 1), the WS pixel 60 (4, 2), theRS pixel 60 (4, 3), the WS pixel 60 (4, 4), the BL pixel 60 (4, 5), theWS pixel 60 (4, 6), the RS pixel 60 (4, 7), and the WS pixel 60 (4, 8)are arranged. In this case, the WS pixels as the short exposure pixels,the BL pixels as the long exposure pixels, and the RS pixels as theshort exposure pixels are arranged in the fourth row.

The long exposure pixels and the short exposure pixels are present inthe same row also in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 6 as in theexposure pattern shown in FIG. 2. Also in the exposure pattern shown inFIG. 6, by providing three pixel transfer control signal lines per rowas shown in FIG. 3, control can be performed distinguishably. Moreover,independent control per color becomes possible in addition to thecontrol of the long exposure and the short exposure.

<Structural Example of Basic Circuit of Pixels>

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structural example of a basic circuit ofthe pixels included in the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 7 shows a structural exampleof a CIS (CMOS image sensor) pixel circuit having a 4Tr (transistor)structure not performing pixel sharing.

In FIG. 7, the equivalence circuit surrounded by a rectangular brokenline represents a structural element of a pixel. The pixel isconstituted of a photodiode PD 71 as the light reception section, afloating diffusion FD 72, and four MOS-FETs 73-1 to 73-4. The pixel isconnected to a pixel transfer control signal line (pixel transfer gatecontrol signal line) TRG 74, a pixel readout selection control signalline SEL 75, a vertical signal line (readout line) VSL 76, and a pixelreset control signal line RST 77.

Light irradiated onto the pixel is converted into electrons by the PD71, and charges corresponding to the light amount are accumulated in thePD 71. The MOS-FET 73-1 controls a charge transfer between the PD 71 andthe FD 72. By applying a signal of the pixel transfer control signalline TRG 74 to the gate electrode of the MOS-FET 73-1, the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred to the FD 72.

The FD 72 is connected to the gate electrode of the MOS-FET 73-3. As acontrol signal of the pixel readout selection control signal line SEL 75is applied to the gate electrode of the MOS-FET 73-4, a voltagecorresponding to the charges accumulated in the FD 72 can be read out asa signal from the vertical signal line VSL 76. As a reset signal of thepixel reset control signal line RST 77 is applied to the gate electrodeof the MOS-FET 73-2, the charges accumulated in the FD 72 flow via theMOS-FET 73-2 so that the charge accumulation state is reset.

A single pixel has such a basic structure, and a signal corresponding tothe received light amount is taken out.

<Structural Example of Pixel Control Circuit and Pixel Wirings>

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structural example of a pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in the image pickup device according to thefirst embodiment of the present technique.

The image pickup device shown in FIG. 8 exemplifies the first to fourthrows of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, since thisarrangement has been described with reference to FIG. 2, descriptionsthereof will be omitted herein. For example, the upper left WL pixel isthe WL pixel 20 (1, 1). The description will continue assuming thatsimilar symbols as the pixels shown in FIG. 2 are assigned to otherpixels. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of pixels are arranged in a 2Dsquare lattice.

Further, each pixel has the circuit structure as shown in FIG. 7. Thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 74 in FIG. 7 corresponds to thepixel transfer control signal lines shown in FIG. 3. As has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 3, since three pixel transfer controlsignal lines are arranged per row, the same symbols as in FIG. 3 areassigned.

The image pickup device further includes a vertical scan control circuit(V Scan Circuit) 81, a horizontal transfer circuit (H Transfer Circuit)82, and an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter (ADC) 83 and a memory (MEM) 84for each column.

The vertical scan control circuit 81 controls the signal lines (RST 77,TRG 21 to 24, and SEL 75) arranged in the row direction to turn on/off aswitch between each pixel 20 and the vertical signal line VSL 76. Itshould be noted that the control of the signal lines will be describedlater.

The horizontal transfer circuit 82 is a circuit for horizontallytransferring digital data stored in the memory 84 of each column. TheA/D converter 83 of each column converts image data from the pixels asanalog values into digital data (digital values). The memory 84 of eachcolumn is a memory that successively stores the digital data obtained bythe conversion by the A/D converter 83 of each column.

The vertical signal lines VSL 76 are arranged in the vertical direction,and the pixels in the same column share a single vertical signal lineVSL 76. Further, the vertical signal lines VSL 76 are exclusivelyconnected to an output terminal (OUT) by the horizontal transfer circuit82.

As described above, by the selective control of the vertical scancontrol circuit 81, a certain pixel can be connected to the outputterminal (OUT). Therefore, signals of all the pixels can be read outtime-divisionally by successively selecting the pixels 20. Also in theimage pickup device, the three pixel transfer control signal lines TRG21 to 24, the pixel readout selection control signal line SEL 75, andthe pixel reset control signal line RST 77 are arranged in each row inthe horizontal direction. The three pixel transfer control signal linesTRG 21 to 24 are connected to the pixels in the pattern shown in FIG. 3.

<Timing Chart Example of Control Signals>

FIG. 9 is a timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the firstembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 9 shows the timing chart ofcontrol signals to the pixels of four rows shown in FIG. 8. The abscissaaxis is a time axis.

The periods indicated by double-headed arrows ExpL1 to ExpL4 and ExpS1to ExpS4 at the upper portion of the figure indicate exposure periods.ExpL1 to ExpL4 indicate exposure periods of long exposure pixels, andExpS1 to ExpS4 indicate exposure periods of short exposure pixels. Thenumbers respectively correspond to the row numbers.

The electronic pixel shutter turns on the pixel reset control signalline RST 77 (H level since reset transistor 73-2 is NMOS) andsimultaneously activates the pixel transfer control signal line TRG. Bythe electronic pixel shutter, the accumulated charges of the PD(photodiode) 71 as the target are reset. Therefore, even when the pixelreset control signal line RST 77 is on, if the pixel transfer controlsignal lines TRG 21 to 24 are off, the PD 71 as the target is not reset.

For example, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 21-1 and 21-2 are turned on at atime t1, the electronic pixel shutters of the WL pixel 20 (1, 1), the WLpixel 20 (1, 3), the WL pixel 20 (1, 5), the WL pixel 20 (1, 7), the GLpixel 20 (1, 2), and the GL pixel 20 (1, 6) in the first row arereleased.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 21-1 and 21-2are turned on at a time t9 regarding those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t1 tothe time t9 (ExpL1) becomes the exposure period.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-3 are turned on at a time t5,the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 20 (1, 4) and the GS pixel20 (1, 8) in the first row are released. Moreover, since the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 21-3 is turned on at the time t9regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the period from the time t5 to the time t9 (ExpS1) becomesthe exposure period.

As described above, the plurality of pixels in 1 line in the horizontaldirection can be controlled so as to be exposed with different exposureperiods.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the second row. Forexample, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 22-2 and 22-3 are turned on at atime t2, the electronic pixel shutters of the RL pixel 20 (2, 1), the RLpixel 20 (2, 5), the BL pixel 20 (2, 3), and the BL pixel 20 (2, 7) inthe second row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer controlsignal lines TRG 22-2 and 22-3 are turned on at a time t10 regardingthose pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the period from the time t2 to the time t10 (ExpL2) becomes the exposureperiod.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 22-1 are turned on at a time t6,the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 20 (2, 2), the WS pixel 20(2, 4), the WS pixel 20 (2, 6), and the WS pixel 20 (2, 8) in the secondrow are released. Moreover, since the pixel transfer control signal lineTRG 22-1 is turned on at the time t10 regarding those pixels and thecharges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from thetime t6 to the time t10 (ExpS2) becomes the exposure period.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the third row. Forexample, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 23-1 and 23-2 are turned on at atime t3, the electronic pixel shutters of the WL pixel 20 (3, 1), the WLpixel 20 (3, 3), the WL pixel 20 (3, 5), the WL pixel 20 (3, 7), the GLpixel 20 (3, 4), and the GL pixel 20 (3, 8) in the third row arereleased.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 23-1 and 23-2are turned on at a time t11 regarding those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t3 tothe time t11 (ExpL3) becomes the exposure period.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-3 are turned on at a time t7,the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 20 (3, 2) and the GS pixel20 (3, 6) in the third row are released. Moreover, since the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 23-3 is turned on at the time t11regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the period from the time t7 to the time t11 (ExpS3) becomesthe exposure period.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the fourth row. Itshould be noted that regarding the fourth row, the pixel reset controlsignal line RST 77-4 is turned on at a time t4, but since there is nopixel transfer control signal line 24 to be turned on at the same time,there is no pixel for which the electronic pixel shutter is to bereleased at the time t4.

Since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-4 and the pixeltransfer control signal lines TRG 24-1, 24-2, and 24-3 are turned on ata time t8, the electronic pixel shutters of all the pixels in the fourthrow are released. In other words, the electronic pixel shutters of theBS pixel 20 (4, 1), the WS pixel 20 (4, 2), the RS pixel 20 (4, 3), theWS pixel 20 (4, 4), the BS pixel 20 (4, 5), the WS pixel 20 (4, 6), theRS pixel 20 (4, 7), and the WS pixel 20 (4, 8) are released.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 24-3 is turnedon at a time t12 regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated inthe PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t8 to the time t12(ExpS4) becomes the exposure period.

It should be noted that since the intervals of the times t1, t2, t3, t4,t5, t6, t7, t8, t9, t10, t11, and t12 are all set to 1 H (time requiredfor reading out pixel data corresponding to 1 row), the long exposuretimes ExpL1 to ExpL4 of the respective rows and the short exposure timesExpS1 to ExpS4 of the respective rows become the same.

As described above, a desired sensitivity pattern can be generated byappropriately controlling on/off of the three pixel transfer controlsignal lines TGR per row in the horizontal direction at the pixel resettimings.

Moreover, by switching on/off the pixel transfer control signal linesTGR at the times t1 to t8, the arrangement of the long exposure pixelsand the arrangement of the short exposure pixels can be exchanged. As anexample, the timing charts for realizing the exposure control patternsshown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are respectively shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and12.

The timing chart for realizing the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 10. In the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 4, the first and third rows are the same as those of the exposurecontrol pattern shown in FIG. 2, and the timings are also the same asthose of the first and third rows in the timing chart shown in FIG. 10.Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

It should be noted that the descriptions will be given assuming that thewirings of the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 21 to 24 withrespect to the pixels are the same as those shown in FIG. 8.

Control with respect to the second row will be described. For example,since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 22-2 are turned on at the time t2, theelectronic pixel shutters of the RL pixel 40 (2, 1) and the RL pixel 40(2, 5) in the second row are released. Further, since the pixel transfercontrol signal line TRG 22-2 is turned on at the time t10 regardingthose pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the period from the time t2 to the time t10 (ExpL2) becomes the exposureperiod.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 22-1 and 22-3 are turned on atthe time t6, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 40 (2, 2),the WS pixel 40 (2, 4), the WS pixel 40 (2, 6), the WS pixel 40 (2, 8),the BS pixel 40 (2, 3), and the BS pixel 40 (2, 7) in the second row arereleased. Moreover, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG22-1 and 22-3 are turned on at the time t10 regarding those pixels andthe charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period fromthe time t6 to the time t10 (ExpS2) becomes the exposure period.

Control with respect to the fourth row will be described. Since thepixel reset control signal line RST 77-4 and the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 24-3 are turned on at the time t4, the electronic pixelshutters of the BL pixel 40 (4, 1) and the BL pixel 40 (4, 5) in thefourth row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 24-3 is turned on at the time t12 regarding those pixelsand the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the periodfrom the time t4 to the time t12 (ExpL4) becomes the exposure period.

Moreover, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-4 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 24-1 and 24-2 are turned on atthe time t8, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 40 (4, 2),the WS pixel 40 (4, 4), the WS pixel 40 (4, 6), the WS pixel 40 (4, 8),the RS pixel 40 (4, 3), and the RS pixel 40 (4, 7) in the fourth row arereleased. Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG24-1 and 24-2 are turned on at the time t12 regarding those pixels andthe charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period fromthe time t8 to the time t12 (ExpS4) becomes the exposure period.

As described above, a desired sensitivity pattern can be generated byappropriately controlling on/off of the three pixel transfer controlsignal lines TGR per row in the horizontal direction at the pixel resettimings.

The timing chart for realizing the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 11. In the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 5, the second and fourth rows are the same as those of the exposurecontrol pattern shown in FIG. 2, and the timings are also the same asthose of the second and fourth rows in the timing chart shown in FIG.11. Therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

It should be noted that the descriptions will be given assuming that thewirings of the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 21 to 24 withrespect to the pixels are the same as those shown in FIG. 8.

Control with respect to the first row will be described. For example,since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and the pixeltransfer control signal lines TRG 21-1, 21-2, and 21-3 are turned on atthe time t1, the electronic pixel shutters of all the pixels in thefirst row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer control signallines TRG 21-1, 21-2, and 21-3 are turned on at the time t9 regardingthose pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the period from the time t1 to the time t9 (ExpL1) becomes the exposureperiod.

Control with respect to the third row will be described. Since the pixelreset control signal line RST 77-3 and the pixel transfer control signalline TRG 23-1 are turned on at the time t3, the electronic pixelshutters of the WL pixel 50 (3, 1), the WL pixel 50 (3, 3), the WL pixel50 (3, 5), and the WL pixel 50 (3, 7) in the third row are released.Moreover, since the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-1 isturned on at the time t11 regarding those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t3 tothe time t11 (ExpL3) becomes the exposure period.

Further, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 23-2 and 23-3 are turned on atthe time t7, the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 50 (3, 2),the GS pixel 50 (3, 4), the GS pixel 50 (3, 6), and the GS pixel 50 (3,8) in the third row are released. Moreover, since the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TRG 23-2 and 23-3 are turned on at the time t11regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the period from the time t7 to the time t11 (ExpS3) becomesthe exposure period.

As described above, a desired sensitivity pattern can be generated byappropriately controlling on/off of the three pixel transfer controlsignal lines TGR per row in the horizontal direction at the pixel resettimings.

The timing chart for realizing the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 12. It should be noted that the descriptionswill be given assuming that the wirings of the pixel transfer controlsignal lines TRG 21 to 24 with respect to the pixels are the same asthose shown in FIG. 8.

Control with respect to the first row will be described. For example,since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and the pixeltransfer control signal lines TRG 21-1, 21-2, and 21-3 are turned on atthe time t1, the electronic pixel shutters of all the pixels in thefirst row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer control signallines TRG 21-1, 21-2, and 21-3 are turned on at the time t9 regardingthose pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the period from the time t1 to the time t9 (ExpL1) becomes the exposureperiod.

Control with respect to the second row will be described. For example,since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 22-2 are turned on at the time t2, theelectronic pixel shutters of the RL pixel 60 (2, 1) and the RL pixel 60(2, 5) in the second row are released. Further, since the pixel transfercontrol signal line TRG 22-2 is turned on at the time t10 regardingthose pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the period from the time t2 to the time t10 (ExpL2) becomes the exposureperiod.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 22-1 and 22-3 are turned on atthe time t6, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 60 (2, 2),the WS pixel 60 (2, 4), the WS pixel 60 (2, 6), the WS pixel 60 (2, 8),the BS pixel 60 (2, 3), and the BS pixel 60 (2, 7) in the second row arereleased. Moreover, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG22-1 and 22-3 are turned on at the time t10 regarding those pixels andthe charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period fromthe time t6 to the time t10 (ExpS2) becomes the exposure period.

Control with respect to the third row will be described. Since the pixelreset control signal line RST 77-3 and the pixel transfer control signalline TRG 23-1 are turned on at the time t3, the electronic pixelshutters of the WL pixel 60 (3, 1), the WL pixel 60 (3, 3), the WL pixel60 (3, 5), and the WL pixel 60 (3, 7) in the third row are released.Moreover, since the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-1 isturned on at the time t11 regarding those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t3 tothe time t11 (ExpL3) becomes the exposure period.

Further, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 23-2 and 23-3 are turned on atthe time t7, the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 60 (3, 2),the GS pixel 60 (3, 4), the GS pixel 60 (3, 6), and the GS pixel 60 (3,8) in the third row are released. Moreover, since the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TRG 23-2 and 23-3 are turned on at the time t11regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the period from the time t7 to the time t11 (ExpS3) becomesthe exposure period.

Control with respect to the fourth row will be described. Since thepixel reset control signal line RST 77-4 and the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 24-3 are turned on at the time t4, the electronic pixelshutters of the BL pixel 60 (4, 1) and the BL pixel 60 (4, 5) in thefourth row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 24-3 is turned on at the time t12 regarding those pixelsand the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the periodfrom the time t4 to the time t12 (ExpL4) becomes the exposure period.

Moreover, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-4 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 24-1 and 24-2 are turned on atthe time t8, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 60 (4, 2),the WS pixel 60 (4, 4), the WS pixel 60 (4, 6), the WS pixel 60 (4, 8),the RS pixel 60 (4, 3), and the RS pixel 60 (4, 7) in the fourth row arereleased. Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG24-1 and 24-2 are turned on at the time t12 regarding those pixels andthe charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period fromthe time t8 to the time t12 (ExpS4) becomes the exposure period.

As described above, a desired sensitivity pattern can be generated byappropriately controlling on/off of the three pixel transfer controlsignal lines TGR per row in the horizontal direction at the pixel resettimings.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present disclosure,by providing, with respect to the CIS having the color filterarrangement including the W pixels, three pixel transfer control signallines TGR per row in the horizontal direction and controlling thosepixel transfer control signal lines TGR, it is possible to mix pixelshaving different exposure times in the same row and realize an imagepickup of a high dynamic range. Moreover, it is also compatible with acolor shutter for compensating for the color filter sensitivitydifferences.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment of the present technique, a circuit structureonto which one A/D converter shared by two pixels in the horizontaldirection is mounted will be described. It should be noted that in thedescriptions below, descriptions on parts that are in common with theimage pickup device according to the first embodiment will partially beomitted.

<Structural Example of Pixel Control Circuit and Pixel Wirings>

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a structural example of a pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in an image pickup device according to thesecond embodiment of the present technique. The image pickup deviceincludes a vertical scan control circuit (V Scan Circuit) 81, ahorizontal transfer circuit (H Transfer Circuit) 82, column switches(SW) 101 provided every two rows, A/D converters (ADC) 83 provided everytwo rows, memories (MEM) 84 provided every two rows, and the pluralityof pixels 20.

It should be noted that parts that are the same as those of thestructural example of the pixel control circuit and pixel wirings of theimage pickup device shown in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same symbols.Specifically, the structural example of the pixel control circuit andpixel wirings of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 13 is differentfrom the structural example of the pixel control circuit and pixelwirings of the image pickup device shown in FIG. 8 in that the columnswitches 101 for carrying out processing are added every two rows, andthat the number of A/D converters 83 and the number of memories 84 arereduced to half for the structure for carrying out processing every tworows. Further, as in FIG. 8, since the pixels have the same colorarrangement as the pixels shown in FIG. 2, the same symbols as in FIG. 2will be used in the descriptions.

The column switch 101 selects, based on signals from a control section(not shown), one of the signals from two pixels and outputs it to theA/D converter 83. The A/D converter 83 converts image data (analogvalues) from the column switch 101 into digital data (digital values).The memory 84 is a memory that successively stores digital data obtainedby the conversion by the A/D converter 83.

As shown in FIG. 8, the A/D converters 83 may be mounted according tothe pixel pitches, but due to influences of miniaturizations of pixelsand the like, the miniaturized A/D converters 83 do not fit in the pixelpitches due to design constraints. Therefore, the image pickup device inwhich one A/D converter 83 is provided in a pitch of two pixels as shownin FIG. 13 can cope with the pixel miniaturization.

It should be noted that since one A/D converter 83 can only read out onepixel at a time, when one A/D converter 83 is to read out two pixels onthe same row, the readout times of the two pixels need to be shifted sothat the pixels are read out one at a time. In this case, the time theA/D converter takes to read out pixels of one row becomes twice as long.

<Timing Chart Example of Control Signals>

FIG. 14 is a timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the secondembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 14 shows the timing chart ofcontrol signals to the pixels corresponding to four rows shown in FIG.13. The abscissa axis is the time axis. The periods indicated by theboth-headed arrows ExpL1 to ExpL4 and ExpS1 to ExpS4 at the upperportion of the figure each represent the exposure period, ExpL1 to ExpL4represent the exposure periods of long exposure pixels, ExpS1 to ExpS4represent the exposure periods of short exposure pixels, and the numbersrespectively correspond to the row numbers.

A difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is that controltimings of adjacent pixels in the same row that share the A/D converter83 are shifted by a predetermined time. In FIG. 14, the timing shiftedby the predetermined time is indicated by ′. For example, the timeshifted by the predetermined time from the time t1 is t1′. The method ofshifting the control timing involves, for example, controlling thepixels in the leftward adjacent column by the time t1 with respect tothe A/D converter 83 and controlling the pixels in the rightwardadjacent column by the time t1′ with respect to the same A/D converter83.

For example, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-1 are turned on at the timet1, the electronic pixel shutters of the WL pixel 20 (1, 1), the WLpixel 20 (1, 3), the WL pixel 20 (1, 5), and the WL pixel 20 (1, 7) inthe first row are released.

Subsequently, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-2 are turned on at the timet1′, the electronic pixel shutters of the GL pixel 20 (1, 2) and the GLpixel 20 (1, 6) in the first row are released.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-1 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-2 are turned on at the timest9 and t9′, respectively, with respect to those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the exposure is performed foronly the exposure period ExpL1.

Further, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-3 are turned on at the timet5′, the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 20 (1, 4) and the GSpixel 20 (1, 8) in the first row are released. Furthermore, since thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-3 is turned on at the time t9′with respect to those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71are transferred, the exposure is performed for only the exposure periodExpS1.

As described above, each of the A/D converters 83 can betime-divisionally shared by the plurality of pixels in 1 line in thehorizontal direction, and the pixels can be controlled so as to beexposed with different exposure periods.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the second row. Forexample, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and thepixel transfer control signal lines TRG 22-2 and 22-3 are turned on atthe time t2, the electronic pixel shutters of the RL pixel 20 (2, 1),the BL pixel 20 (2, 3), the RL pixel 20 (2, 5), and the BL pixel 20 (2,7) in the second row are released. Further, since the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TRG 22-2 and 22-3 are turned on at the time t10regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the exposure is performed for only the exposure periodExpL2.

Further, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-2 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 22-1 are turned on at the timet6′, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 20 (2, 2), the WSpixel 20 (2, 4), the WS pixel 20 (2, 6), and WS pixel 20 (2, 8) in thesecond row are released. Furthermore, since the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 22-1 is turned on at the time t10′ with respect to thosepixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, theexposure is performed for only the exposure period ExpS2.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the third row. Forexample, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-1 are turned on at the timet3, the electronic pixel shutters of the WL pixel 20 (3, 1), the WLpixel 20 (3, 3), the WL pixel 20 (3, 5), and the WL pixel 20 (3, 7) inthe third row are released.

Subsequently, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-2 are turned on at the timet3′, the electronic pixel shutters of the GL pixel 20 (3, 4) and the GLpixel 20 (3, 8) in the third row are released. Further, since the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 23-1 and the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 23-2 are turned on at the times t11 and t11′,respectively, and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the exposure is performed for only the exposure period ExpL3.

Further, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-3 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-3 are turned on at the timet7′, the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 20 (3, 2) and the GSpixel 20 (3, 6) in the third row are released. Furthermore, since thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-3 is turned on at the timet11′ with respect to those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD71 are transferred, the exposure is performed for only the exposureperiod ExpS3.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the fourth row. Itshould be noted that since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-4is turned on at the times t4 and t4′ but there is no pixel transfercontrol signal line TRG to be turned on at the same time in the fourthrow, there is no pixel for which the electronic pixel shutter is to bereleased at the times t4 and t4′.

On the other hand, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-4and the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 24-2 and 24-3 are turnedon at the time t8, the electronic pixel shutters of the BS pixel 20 (4,1), the RS pixel 20 (4, 3), the BS pixel 20 (4, 5), and the RS pixel 20(4, 7) in the fourth row are released.

Subsequently, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-4 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 24-1 are turned on at the timet8′, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 20 (4, 2), the WSpixel 20 (4, 4), the WS pixel 20 (4, 6), and the WS pixel 20 (4, 8) inthe fourth row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer controlsignal lines TRG 24-2 and 24-3 are turned on at the time t12, the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 24-1 is turned on at the time t12′, andthe charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the exposure isperformed for only the exposure period ExpS4.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the presenttechnique, by providing three pixel transfer control signal lines TGRper row in the horizontal direction and controlling the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TGR regarding the CIS that has the color filterarrangement including the W pixels and the structure in which theadjacent two columns share the same A/D converter, pixels of differentexposure times can be mixed in the same row, and the image pickup of ahigh dynamic range can therefore be realized. Moreover, it is alsocompatible with a color shutter for compensating for the color filtersensitivity differences.

It should be noted that although the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 2 is taken as an example in the descriptions above, in the secondembodiment, the exposure control patterns shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 canbe realized by exchanging the arrangements of the long exposure pixelsand the short exposure pixels by switching on/off the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TGR as in the first embodiment. This method isessentially the same as that described in the first embodiment, sodescriptions thereof will be omitted.

Third Embodiment

In a third embodiment of the present technique, a circuit structure inwhich 4 pixels in the vertical direction share a single FD (FloatingDiffusion) will be described. It should be noted that in the following,descriptions on the parts that are common with the image pickup deviceof the first embodiment will partially be omitted.

<Structural Example of Vertical Direction 4-Pixel Sharing Pixel Circuit>

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a structural example of a basic circuit ofpixels included in an image pickup device according to the thirdembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 15 shows a vertical direction4-pixel sharing pixel circuit in which 4 pixels consecutively arrangedin the vertical direction are connected to a single FD 72 via pixeltransfer transistors 73-11 to 73-14 and share the circuit structure CMN131 subsequent to the FD 72.

The pixels are connected to the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG21 to 24, the pixel readout selection control signal line SEL 75, thevertical signal line (readout line) VSL 76, and the pixel reset controlsignal line RST 77. It should be noted that the structures andoperations other than the point that 4-pixel sharing is performed aresubstantially the same as those of the pixel circuit shown in FIG. 7.Therefore, specific descriptions will be omitted herein.

<Structural Example of Pixel Control Circuit and Pixel Wirings>

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a structural example of the pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in the image pickup device according to thethird embodiment of the present technique. The basic structure of thepixel control circuit and pixel wirings in the image pickup device shownin FIG. 16 is the same as that of the pixel control circuit and pixelwirings in the image pickup device according to the first embodimentshown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the same parts are denoted by the samesymbols, and descriptions will be omitted.

In the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8, the 4 pixelsarranged in the vertical direction have independent circuit structures.However, in FIG. 16, since the structure CMN 131 subsequent to the FD 72is shared by those pixels, the pixel readout selection control signalline SEL 75 and the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 are providedevery 4 rows. In addition, the connections with respect to the verticalsignal line (readout line) VSL 76 are also considered a singleconnection via the CMN 131 regarding the vertical 4 pixels.

<Timing Chart Example of Control Signals>

FIG. 17 is a timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the thirdembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 17 shows the timing chart ofthe control signal lines with respect to the pixels corresponding to 4rows shown in FIG. 16. The abscissa axis is the time axis. The periodsindicated by the both-headed arrows ExpL1 to ExpL4 and ExpS1 to ExpS4 atthe upper portion of the figure each represent the exposure period,ExpL1 to ExpL4 represent the exposure periods of long exposure pixels,ExpS1 to ExpS4 represent the exposure periods of short exposure pixels,and the numbers respectively correspond to the row numbers.

A difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is that pixelreset control signals and pixel readout selection control signalssupplied via the pixel reset control signal line RST 77-1 of each rowand the pixel readout selection control signal line SEL 75-1 of each roware supplied from one pixel reset control signal line RST 77 and onepixel readout selection control signal line SEL 75.

By sharing those signal lines, a restriction that signals cannot besupplied at a timing at which the signals are superimposed on each otheroccurs, but within the restriction range, a desired sensitivity patterncan be generated by appropriately controlling on/off of the three pixeltransfer control signal lines TGR per row in the horizontal direction atthe pixel reset timings in the third embodiment as in the firstembodiment.

Referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 17, the timings of thecontrol signals to the pixels constituting the image pickup deviceaccording to the third embodiment and the readout of the pixels will bedescribed.

Control with respect to the pixels of the first row shown in FIG. 16will be described. For example, since the pixel reset control signalline RST 77 and the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 21-1 and21-2 are turned on at the time t1, the electronic pixel shutters of theWL pixel 20 (1, 1), the WL pixel 20 (1, 3), the WL pixel 20 (1, 5), theWL pixel 20 (1, 7), the GL pixel 20 (1, 2), and the GL pixel 20 (1, 6)in the first row are released.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 21-1 and 21-2are turned on at the time t9 regarding those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t1 tothe time t9 (ExpL1) becomes the exposure period.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 75 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-3 are turned on at the timet5, the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 20 (1, 4) and the GSpixel 20 (1, 8) in the first row are released. Moreover, since the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 21-3 is turned on at the time t9regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the period from the time t5 to the time t9 (ExpS1) becomesthe exposure period.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the second row. Forexample, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 and the pixeltransfer control signal lines TRG 22-2 and 22-3 are turned on at thetime t2, the electronic pixel shutters of the RL pixel 20 (2, 1), the RLpixel 20 (2, 5), the BL pixel 20 (2, 3), and the BL pixel 20 (2, 7) inthe second row are released. Further, since the pixel transfer controlsignal lines TRG 22-2 and 22-3 are turned on at the time t10 regardingthose pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred,the period from the time t2 to the time t10 (ExpL2) becomes the exposureperiod.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 22-1 are turned on at the timet6, the electronic pixel shutters of the WS pixel 20 (2, 2), the WSpixel 20 (2, 4), the WS pixel 20 (2, 6), and the WS pixel 20 (2, 8) inthe second row are released. Moreover, since the pixel transfer controlsignal line TRG 22-1 is turned on at the time t10 regarding those pixelsand the charges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the periodfrom the time t6 to the time t10 (ExpS2) becomes the exposure period.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the third row. Forexample, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 and the pixeltransfer control signal lines TRG 23-1 and 23-2 are turned on at thetime t3, the electronic pixel shutters of the WL pixel 20 (3, 1), the WLpixel 20 (3, 3), the WL pixel 20 (3, 5), the WL pixel 20 (3, 7), the GLpixel 20 (3, 4), and the GL pixel 20 (3, 8) in the third row arereleased.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 23-1 and 23-2are turned on at the time t11 regarding those pixels and the chargesaccumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from the time t3 tothe time t11 (ExpL3) becomes the exposure period.

Furthermore, since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 and thepixel transfer control signal line TRG 23-3 are turned on at the timet7, the electronic pixel shutters of the GS pixel 20 (3, 2) and the GSpixel 20 (3, 6) in the third row are released. Moreover, since the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 23-3 is turned on at the time t11regarding those pixels and the charges accumulated in the PD 71 aretransferred, the period from the time t7 to the time t11 (ExpS3) becomesthe exposure period.

Similar control can be performed with respect to the fourth row. Itshould be noted that regarding the fourth row, the pixel reset controlsignal line RST 77 is turned on at the time t4, but since there is nopixel transfer control signal line 24 to be turned on at the same time,there is no pixel for which the electronic pixel shutter is to bereleased at the time t4.

Since the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 and the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TRG 24-1, 24-2, and 24-3 are turned on at the timet8, the electronic pixel shutters of all the pixels in the fourth roware released. In other words, the electronic pixel shutters of the BSpixel 20 (4, 1), the WS pixel 20 (4, 2), the RS pixel 20 (4, 3), the WSpixel 20 (4, 4), the BS pixel 20 (4, 5), the WS pixel 20 (4, 6), the RSpixel 20 (4, 7), and the WS pixel 20 (4, 8) are released.

Further, since the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG 24-1, 24-2,and 24-3 are turned on at the time t12 regarding those pixels and thecharges accumulated in the PD 71 are transferred, the period from thetime t8 to the time t12 (ExpS4) becomes the exposure period.

As described above, a desired sensitivity pattern can be generated byappropriately controlling on/off of the three pixel transfer controlsignal lines TGR per row in the horizontal direction at the pixel resettimings.

It should be noted that although the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 2 is taken as an example in the descriptions above, in the thirdembodiment, the exposure control patterns shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 canbe realized by exchanging the arrangements of the long exposure pixelsand the short exposure pixels by switching on/off the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TGR as in the first embodiment. This method isessentially the same as that described in the first embodiment, sodescriptions thereof will be omitted.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment of the present technique, a circuit structure inwhich a single FD 72 is shared by 4×2=8 (vertical direction×horizontaldirection) pixels will be described. It should be noted that in thefollowing, descriptions on the parts that are common with the imagepickup device of the first embodiment will partially be omitted.

<Structural Example of 8-Pixel Sharing Pixel Circuit>

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a structural example of a basic circuit ofpixels included in an image pickup device according to the fourthembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 18 shows an 8-pixel sharingpixel circuit in which 4×2=8 pixels consecutively arranged in thevertical direction and the horizontal direction are connected to asingle FD 72 via pixel transfer transistors 73-11 to 73-18 and share thecircuit structure CMN 131 subsequent to the FD 72.

The pixels are connected to the pixel transfer control signal lines TRG21 to 24, the pixel readout selection control signal line SEL 75, thevertical signal line (readout line) VSL 76, and the pixel reset controlsignal line RST 77. It should be noted that the structures andoperations other than the point that 8-pixel sharing is performed aresubstantially the same as those of the pixel circuit shown in FIG. 7.Therefore, specific descriptions will be omitted herein.

<Structural Example of Pixel Control Circuit and Pixel Wirings>

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a structural example of the pixel controlcircuit and pixel wirings in the image pickup device according to thefourth embodiment of the present technique. In the first embodimentdescribed with reference to FIG. 8, the 4×2=8 pixels arranged in thevertical direction and the horizontal direction have independent circuitstructures. However, in FIG. 19, since the structure CMN 131 subsequentto the FD 72 is shared by those pixels, the pixel readout selectioncontrol signal line SEL 75 and the pixel reset control signal line RST77 are provided every 4 rows. In addition, the vertical signal line(readout line) VSL 76 is provided every 2 rows, and the connections withrespect to the vertical signal line (readout line) VSL 76 are alsoconsidered a single connection regarding the 4×2 pixels.

<Timing Chart Example of Control Signals>

FIG. 20 is a timing chart schematically showing control signals to thepixels constituting the image pickup device according to the fourthembodiment of the present technique. FIG. 20 shows the timing chart ofthe control signal lines with respect to the pixels corresponding to 4rows shown in FIG. 19. The abscissa axis is the time axis. The periodsindicated by the both-headed arrows ExpL1 to ExpL4 and ExpS1 to ExpS4 atthe upper portion of the figure each represent the exposure period,ExpL1 to ExpL4 represent the exposure periods of long exposure pixels,ExpS1 to ExpS4 represent the exposure periods of short exposure pixels,and the numbers respectively correspond to the row numbers.

In the fourth embodiment, since the vertical signal line (readout line)VSL 76 is shared by two adjacent columns, the A/D converter 83 is alsoshared by the two adjacent columns. Therefore, as in the secondembodiment in which the two adjacent columns share the A/D converter 83,there is a need to perform control such that the two pixels adjacent inthe horizontal direction are time-divisionally read out at differenttimings. In the second embodiment, the time-divisional readout isrealized by shifting the pixel transfer control signals with respect tothe adjacent columns by a predetermined time as in the case shown inFIG. 14.

In the fourth embodiment, the pixel transfer control signals withrespect to the adjacent columns are shifted by a predetermined time andsupplied as in the second embodiment.

For example, at the time t1, pixel transfer control signals are suppliedfrom the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-1 to the WL pixel 20(1, 1), the WL pixel 20 (1, 3), the WL pixel 20 (1, 5), and the WL pixel20 (1, 7) in the first row, and the pixel transfer control signals aresupplied from the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-2 to the GLpixel 20 (1, 2) and the GL pixel 20 (1, 6) in the first row at the timet1′.

Furthermore, at the time t9, by supplying, simultaneous with the supplyof a pixel readout selection control signal to the pixel readoutselection control signal line SEL 75, the pixel transfer control signalsfrom the pixel transfer control signal line TRG 21-1 to the WL pixel 20(1, 1), the WL pixel 20 (1, 3), the WL pixel 20 (1, 5), and the WL pixel20 (1, 7) in the first row, signals of the WL pixels 20 are read out.Further, by supplying the pixel transfer control signals from the pixeltransfer control signal line TRG 21-2 to the GL pixels in the first rowat the time t9′, signals of the GL pixel 20 (1, 2) and the GL pixel 20(1, 6) are read out.

Since the times t1 and t1′ and the times t9 and t9′ are shifted only bythe same predetermined time, the WL pixels 20 and the GL pixels 20 inthe first row are exposed for only the exposure period ExpL1.Furthermore, since the pixel readout selection control signal line SEL75 and the pixel reset control signal line RST 77 are shared by thepixels across 4 rows in the fourth embodiment, the pixel reset controlsignals and the pixel readout selection control signals for the 4 rowsare supplied from the single pixel readout selection control signal lineSEL 75 and the single pixel reset control signal line RST 77 similar tothe control of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 17.

It should be noted that although the exposure control pattern shown inFIG. 2 is taken as an example in the descriptions above, in the fourthembodiment, the exposure control patterns shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 canbe realized by exchanging the arrangements of the long exposure pixelsand the short exposure pixels by switching on/off the pixel transfercontrol signal lines TGR as in the first embodiment. This method isessentially the same as that described in the first embodiment, sodescriptions thereof will be omitted.

Fifth Embodiment

The first to fourth embodiments of the present technique have describedthe examples of the image pickup device in which at least three pixeltransfer control signal lines are connected to the plurality of pixelsthat constitute 1 line and have different exposure timings. In thefollowing, an example of an image pickup apparatus including those imagepickup devices will be described.

<Functional Structure Example of Image Pickup Apparatus>

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a functional structure example of animage pickup apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the presenttechnique. The image pickup apparatus 300 includes an image pickupdevice 310, an image processing section 311, a recording control section312, a content storage section 313, a display control section 314, adisplay section 315, a control section 316, and an operation receptionsection 317.

The image pickup device 310 generates an image signal based on aninstruction from the control section 316 and outputs the generated imagesignal to the image processing section 311. Specifically, the imagepickup device 310 converts light of an object that has entered via anoptical system (not shown) into electrical signals. It should be notedthat the image pickup device 310 corresponds to the image pickup devicesaccording to the first to fourth embodiments of the present technique.Moreover, the optical system is constituted of a lens group thatcollects incident light from the object and a diaphragm, and lightcollected by the lens group enters the image pickup device 310 via thediaphragm.

The image processing section 311 carries out various types of imageprocessing on the image signals (digital signals) output from the imagepickup device 310 based on the instruction from the control section 316.Then, the image processing section 311 outputs the image signals (imagedata) subjected to the various types of image processing to therecording control section 312 and the display control section 314. Therecording control section 312 performs recording control on the contentstorage section 313 based on the instruction from the control section316. For example, the recording control section 312 causes the contentstorage section 313 to record the image (image data) output from theimage processing section 311 as an image content (still image file ormoving image file).

The content storage section 313 is a recording medium that storesvarious types of information (image content etc.) under control of therecording control section 312. It should be noted that the contentstorage section 313 may be incorporated into the image pickup apparatus300 or may be detachable from the image pickup apparatus 300.

Based on the instruction from the control section 316, the displaycontrol section 314 causes the display section 315 to display the imageoutput from the image processing section 311. For example, the displaycontrol section 314 causes the display section 315 to display a displayscreen for performing various operations related to image pickupoperations and images generated by the image pickup device 310(so-called through images).

The display section 315 is a display panel that displays various imagesunder control of the display control section 314. The control section316 controls the respective sections of the image pickup apparatus 300based on a control program stored in a memory (not shown). For example,the control section 316 performs output control (display control) orrecording control of the image signals (image data) subjected to theimage processing by the image processing section 311. The operationreception section 317 is an operation reception section that receives auser operation and outputs a control signal (operation signal)corresponding to the received operation content to the control section316.

<Operation of Image Processing Section>

Next, the operation of the image processing section 311 will bedescribed. The image pickup device of the present technique outputs RAWdata in which pixels subjected to the two types of exposures, that is,the long exposure and the short exposure, are mixed in the 4-row colorarrangement including the W pixels. The image processing section 311carries out processing of generating RGB image data from the RAW data.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a functional structure example of theimage processing section 311 according to the fifth embodiment of thepresent technique. The image processing section 311 inputs RAW data inwhich pixels subjected to the two types of exposures, that is, the longexposure and the short exposure, are mixed in the 4-row colorarrangement including the W pixels, and outputs RGB image data, that is,an image including R, G, and B across all the pixels.

It should be noted that the 4 rows including the W pixels are RGB+W, andthe color arrangement and the exposure control pattern are those shownin FIG. 2. The image processing section 311 is constituted of a WLhigh-frequency interpolation section 351, a WS high-frequencyinterpolation section 352, a WL low-frequency interpolation section 353,a WS low-frequency interpolation section 354, a GL low-frequencyinterpolation section 355, a GS low-frequency interpolation section 356,an RL low-frequency interpolation section 357, an RS low-frequencyinterpolation section 358, a BL low-frequency interpolation section 359,a BS low-frequency interpolation section 360, a W high-frequency HDRcombination section 361, a W low-frequency HDR combination section 362,a G low-frequency HDR combination section 363, an R low-frequency HDRcombination section 364, a B low-frequency HDR combination section 365,a W-GCh correlation processing section 366, a W-RCh correlationprocessing section 367, and a W-BCh correlation processing section 368.

The WL high-frequency interpolation section 351 interpolates signals ofthe WL pixels 20 arranged alternately in a square lattice in all thepixels using an interpolation filter. For example, a 2D FIR (FiniteImpulse Response) filter having coefficients as shown in FIG. 23 isapplied to all the pixel positions. Here, so that the center position ofthe 9×9 coefficients corresponds to the pixel position for which aninterpolation value is to be calculated (interpolation pixel position),a filter calculation is performed using the relevant coefficient withrespect to the pixel position at which the WL pixel is present withinthe range of 9×9 pixels around the interpolation pixel position andsetting the coefficient to 0 at the pixel positions excluding the WLpixels. It should be noted that the coefficients shown in FIG. 23 aremere examples and are not limited thereto.

The WS high-frequency interpolation section 352 interpolates signals ofthe WS pixels 20 arranged at a 2-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving the coefficients as shown in FIG. 23 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the WS pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the WS pixels.

The WL low-frequency interpolation section 353 interpolates signals ofthe WL pixels 20 arranged at a 2-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the WL pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the WL pixels. It should be noted thatthe coefficients shown in FIG. 24 are mere examples and are not limitedthereto.

The WS low-frequency interpolation section 354 interpolates signals ofthe WS pixels 20 arranged at a 2-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the WS pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the WS pixels.

The GL low-frequency interpolation section 355 interpolates signals ofthe GL pixels 20 arranged at a 4-pixel pitch in a checkerboard latticein all the pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIRfilter having the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all thepixel positions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9coefficients corresponds to the pixel position for which aninterpolation value is to be calculated (interpolation pixel position),a filter calculation is performed using the relevant coefficient withrespect to the pixel position at which the GL pixel is present withinthe range of 9×9 pixels around the interpolation pixel position andsetting the coefficient to 0 at the pixel positions excluding the GLpixels.

The GS low-frequency interpolation section 356 interpolates signals ofthe GS pixels 20 arranged at a 4-pixel pitch in a checkerboard latticein all the pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIRfilter having the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all thepixel positions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9coefficients corresponds to the pixel position for which aninterpolation value is to be calculated (interpolation pixel position),a filter calculation is performed using the relevant coefficient withrespect to the pixel position at which the GS pixel is present withinthe range of 9×9 pixels around the interpolation pixel position andsetting the coefficient to 0 at the pixel positions excluding the GSpixels.

The RL low-frequency interpolation section 357 interpolates signals ofthe RL pixels 20 arranged at a 4-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the RL pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the RL pixels.

The RS low-frequency interpolation section 358 interpolates signals ofthe RS pixels 20 arranged at a 4-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the RS pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the RS pixels.

The BL low-frequency interpolation section 359 interpolates signals ofthe BL pixels 20 arranged at a 4-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the BL pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the BL pixels.

The BS low-frequency interpolation section 360 interpolates signals ofthe BS pixels 20 arranged at a 4-pixel pitch in a square lattice in allthe pixels using an interpolation filter. For example, the 2D FIR filterhaving the coefficients as shown in FIG. 24 is applied to all the pixelpositions. Here, so that the center position of the 9×9 coefficientscorresponds to the pixel position for which an interpolation value is tobe calculated (interpolation pixel position), a filter calculation isperformed using the relevant coefficient with respect to the pixelposition at which the BS pixel is present within the range of 9×9 pixelsaround the interpolation pixel position and setting the coefficient to 0at the pixel positions excluding the BS pixels.

The W high-frequency HDR combination section 361 carries out processingof combining a WL high-frequency pixel value interpolated in all thepixels, that has been output from the WL high-frequency interpolationsection 351, and a WS high-frequency pixel value output from the WShigh-frequency interpolation section 352 and generating a pixel value ofa high dynamic range in all the pixels.

The W low-frequency HDR combination section 362 carries out processingof combining a WL low-frequency pixel value interpolated in all thepixels, that has been output from the WL low-frequency interpolationsection 353, and a WS low-frequency pixel value output from the WSlow-frequency interpolation section 354 and generating a pixel value ofa high dynamic range in all the pixels.

The G low-frequency HDR combination section 363 carries out processingof combining a GL low-frequency pixel value interpolated in all thepixels, that has been output from the GL low-frequency interpolationsection 355, and a GS low-frequency pixel value output from the GSlow-frequency interpolation section 356 and generating a pixel value ofa high dynamic range in all the pixels.

The R low-frequency HDR combination section 364 carries out processingof combining an RL low-frequency pixel value interpolated in all thepixels, that has been output from the RL low-frequency interpolationsection 357, and an RS low-frequency pixel value output from the RSlow-frequency interpolation section 358 and generating a pixel value ofa high dynamic range in all the pixels.

The B low-frequency HDR combination section 365 carries out processingof combining a BL low-frequency pixel value interpolated in all thepixels, that has been output from the BL low-frequency interpolationsection 359, and a BS low-frequency pixel value output from the BSlow-frequency interpolation section 360 and generating a pixel value ofa high dynamic range in all the pixels.

Since only the input signals differ and the operations of the processingare the same, the operations will collectively be described while takingthe G low-frequency HDR combination section 363 as an example.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a functional structure example of theG low-frequency HDR combination section 363 according to the fifthembodiment of the present technique. The G low-frequency HDR combinationsection 363 outputs, with the GL pixel value signal interpolated in allthe pixel positions and the GS pixel value signal interpolated in allthe pixel positions being the inputs, a G pixel value of a high dynamicrange obtained by combining those values to all the pixel positions.

The G low-frequency HDR combination section 363 is constituted of twologarithm conversion processing sections 381 and 382, a weight valuedetermination processing section 383, an exposure correction processingsection 384, a blend processing section 385, and a logarithm reverseconversion processing section 386.

The two logarithm conversion processing sections 381 and 382 outputvalues obtained by logarithmically converting the GL pixel value and theGS pixel value of each pixel. The exposure correction processing section384 adds a logarithmic value corresponding to an exposure ratio of thelong exposure and the short exposure to the logarithmically-converted GSpixel value output from the logarithm conversion processing section 382to level the levels of the logarithmically-converted GS pixel value andthe logarithmically-converted GL pixel value.

The weight value determination processing section 383 determines, basedon the logarithmically-converted GL pixel value output from thelogarithm conversion processing section 381, a blend coefficient of thelogarithmically-converted GL pixel value and thelogarithmically-converted GS pixel value obtained after the exposurecorrection.

The blend processing section 385 blend-combines, based on the blendcoefficient determined by the weight value determination processingsection 383, the logarithmically-converted GL pixel value output fromthe logarithm conversion processing section 381 and thelogarithmically-converted GS pixel value that is output from theexposure correction processing section 384 and obtained after theexposure correction.

The logarithm reverse conversion processing section 386 restores the Gpixel value obtained by the blend combination by the blend processingsection 385 to the original linear characteristics.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for schematically explaining a series of operationsof the HDR combination section such as the G low-frequency HDRcombination section 363. The abscissa axis represents a luminance of theobject, and the ordinate axis represents a G pixel value gradation, andboth are in a logarithm gradation. The solid line L1 indicates GL pixelcharacteristics, and the solid line L2 indicates the GS pixelcharacteristics. Since the GL pixel has a longer exposure time, the GLpixel shows a larger value than the GS value with respect to the sameobject luminance.

A difference between those two is exactly an amount corresponding to theexposure ratio in the logarithm gradation. Obtaining luminancecharacteristics of a high dynamic range means obtaining linear pixelcharacteristics with respect to a wide range of object luminance.Therefore, the HDR combination section aims at coupling thecharacteristics of the GL pixels and the characteristics of the GSpixels to obtain one long linear characteristics. In this regard, theexposure correction processing section adds a bias corresponding to theexposure ratio to the GS pixel characteristics to obtain characteristicsthat are linearly aligned with the GL pixel characteristics.

The GS pixel characteristics biased by an amount corresponding to theexposure ratio is indicated by a broken line L3. The blend processingsection 385 carries out processing of combining the GL pixelcharacteristics indicated by the solid line L1 and the GS pixelcharacteristics that are subjected to the exposure correction andindicated by the solid line L2 to obtain G pixel characteristics of ahigh dynamic range.

Here, in the area of dark object luminance, the GS pixels are buried innoises, so only the characteristics of the GL pixels are desirably used.Conversely, in the area of bright object luminance, the GL pixels aresaturated, so only the characteristics of the GS pixels subjected to theexposure correction are desirably used. In this regard, a blendingweight is controlled such that a contribution gradually shifts in anarea where the two luminance characteristics overlap.

The weight value determination processing section 383 estimates theobject luminance from the input GL pixel values(logarithmically-converted) and calculates a weight value conforming tothe characteristics preset according to the requests as described above.For example, the weight value characteristics as shown in FIG. 27 can beused. In the weight value characteristics shown in FIG. 27, the value oflog G takes the value 1 up to a first value, gradually decreases whenexceeding the first value, and takes the value 0 when exceeding a secondvalue.

The processing of the HDR combination section described above can beexpressed by the following expression (1).

$\begin{matrix}{\mspace{76mu} \left\lbrack {{Expression}{\mspace{11mu} \;}1} \right\rbrack} & \; \\{G_{HDR} = {\log^{- 1}\left( {{{{\omega \left( {\log \; G_{L}} \right)} \cdot \log}\; G_{L}} + {\left( {1 - {\omega \left( {\log \; G_{L}} \right)}} \right) \cdot \left( {{\log \; G_{S}} + {\log \frac{E_{L}}{E_{S}}}} \right)}} \right)}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

As described above, the HDR combination section includes the processingof converting signals read out from the pixels into a nonlineargradation, and the processing of converting signals into a nonlineargradation includes processing of converting signals based onupwardly-convex power function characteristics.

The descriptions will return to the structure of the image processingsection 311 shown in FIG. 22. With the HDR-combined W high-frequencyluminance value output from the W high-frequency HDR combination section361, the HDR-combined W low-frequency luminance value output from the Wlow-frequency HDR combination section 362, and the G low-frequencyluminance value output from the G low-frequency HDR combination section363 being the inputs, the W-GCh correlation processing section 366calculates and outputs a G luminance value including correctedhigh-frequency components.

With the HDR-combined W high-frequency luminance value output from the Whigh-frequency HDR combination section 361, the HDR-combined Wlow-frequency luminance value output from the W low-frequency HDRcombination section 362, and the R low-frequency luminance value outputfrom the R low-frequency HDR combination section 364 being the inputs,the W-RCh correlation processing section 367 calculates and outputs an Rluminance value including corrected high-frequency components.

With the HDR-combined W high-frequency luminance value output from the Whigh-frequency HDR combination section 361, the HDR-combined Wlow-frequency luminance value output from the W low-frequency HDRcombination section 362, and the B low-frequency luminance value outputfrom the B low-frequency HDR combination section 365 being the inputs,the W-BCh correlation processing section 368 calculates and outputs a Bluminance value including corrected high-frequency components.

Here, the operation of the W-GCh correlation processing section 366 willbe described. The operations of the W-RCh correlation processing section367 and the W-BCh correlation processing section 368 are the same asthat of the W-GCh correlation processing section 366, so the operationof the W-GCh correlation processing section 366 will be described as anexample herein.

In the 4-row arrangement like RGB+W as the target of the presenttechnique, the W pixels can be sampled at a relatively-small pitch, andminute patterns and the like can therefore be reproduced by theinterpolation processing. However, the R, G, and B pixels have roughpixel pitches, so minute patterns cannot be reproduced. However, in anatural image, it is experientially known that image signals obtained bydifferent visible light spectral sensitivities have a strongcorrelation.

In this regard, using such properties, the high-frequency components ofthe R, G, and B pixels are estimated using the high-frequency componentsobtained from the W pixels. Specifically, the high-frequency componentof the W pixel is calculated based on a difference between the output ofthe W high-frequency HDR combination section 361 reproduced up to thehigh frequency and the output of the W low-frequency HDR combinationsection 362 having no high-frequency component due to a smoothing effectof the filter.

Further, assuming that the high-frequency components of the G pixels aresubstantially the same as the high-frequency components of the W pixelsbased on the Ch correlation property, the high-frequency component ofthe W pixel is added to the outputs of the R, G, and B low-frequency HDRcombination sections.

This can be expressed by the following expression (2).

[Expression 2]

G _(ICC) =G _(LowFreq)+(W _(HighFreq) −W _(LowFreq))   (2)

In the expression (2), the left-hand side is an output value, and threeitems on the right-hand side are input values.

As described above, the fifth embodiment of the present technique hasdescribed the structure of the image pickup apparatus including theimage processing with which, from output RAW data of the image pickupdevice that has the 4-row color arrangement including W in addition toRGB and performs a long exposure and short exposure for each color, RGBimage data of a high dynamic range can be generated.

Other Application Examples

The fifth embodiment of the present technique has described thestructure for converting, after outputting RAW data including 4 rows ofRGB+W from the image pickup device, the data into RGB data by the imageprocessing section. However, it is also possible to take a structure inwhich data converted into an RGB Bayer arrangement in the image pickupdevice is output from the image pickup device. The operation of theimage processing section in this case includes a signal processingsection that converts the RGB Bayer arrangement performed in a normalcamera system into RGB data.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing another structure of the image processingsection 311 (FIG. 21). The image processing section 311′ shown in FIG.28 (′ is assigned for distinguishing it from image processing section311 shown in FIG. 22) has a structure in which a down sampling section401 is added to the image processing section 311 shown in FIG. 22. Withsuch a structure, the processing of converting data into the RGB Bayerarrangement can be carried out in the image pickup device.

The image processing section 311′ shown in FIG. 28 includes the downsampling section 401 that resamples, after HDR-combined RGB pixel valuesare obtained in the pixels by the processing of the WL high-frequencyinterpolation section 351 to the W-BCh correlation processing section368, the pixel values so that those become the Bayer arrangement. By theresampling by the down sampling section 401, data converted into the RGBBayer arrangement in the image pickup device can be output.

Further, in both the image processing section 311 shown in FIG. 22 andthe image processing section 311′ shown in FIG. 28, it is also possibleto change the positions of the logarithm conversion processing sections381 and 382 and the logarithm reverse conversion processing section 386(all of which are shown in FIG. 25), that are included in the HDRcombination sections 361 to 365, so as to carry out the logarithmconversion processing before the interpolation means, and carry out thelogarithm reverse conversion processing after the Ch correlationprocessing sections 366 to 368 (or after down sampling section 401).

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a structure of the image processing section311 in the case where the positions of the logarithm conversionprocessing sections 381 and 382 and the logarithm reverse conversionprocessing section 386, that are included in the HDR combinationsections 361 to 365, are changed so as to carry out the logarithmconversion processing before the interpolation means, and the logarithmreverse conversion processing is carried out after the Ch correlationprocessing sections 366 to 368.

The image processing section 311 shown in FIG. 22 and the imageprocessing section 311″ (″ is assigned for distinguishing it from otherimage processing sections 311) shown in FIG. 29 will be compared. In theimage processing section 311″, a logarithm conversion processing section421 that carries out the logarithm conversion processing on the RAW datain which pixels subjected to the two types of exposures, that is, thelong exposure and the short exposure, are mixed in the 4-row colorarrangement including the input W pixels, is provided before the WLhigh-frequency interpolation section 351 to the BS low-frequencyinterpolation section 360.

Therefore, the interpolation sections of the WL high-frequencyinterpolation section 351 to the BS low-frequency interpolation section360 carry out the interpolation processing using the data subjected tothe logarithm conversion processing. Since the logarithm conversionprocessing section 421 is provided before the interpolation sections,the W high-frequency HDR combination section 361 to the B low-frequencyHDR combination section 365 do not include the logarithm conversionprocessing sections 381 and 382 although not shown. Moreover, thelogarithm reverse conversion processing section 386 is also notincluded.

The logarithm reverse conversion processing section 386 provided in eachof the W high-frequency HDR combination section 361 to the Blow-frequency HDR combination section 365 is provided subsequent to eachof the W-GCh correlation processing section 366 to the W-BCh correlationprocessing section 368 in the image processing section 311″ shown inFIG. 29.

Specifically, a logarithm reverse conversion processing section 422 isprovided subsequent to the W-GCh correlation processing section 366, alogarithm reverse conversion processing section 423 is providedsubsequent to the W-RCh correlation processing section 367, and thelogarithm reverse conversion processing section 424 is providedsubsequent to the W-BCh correlation processing section 368.

As such a structure, a structure of generating and outputting each dataof RGB may also be taken.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a structure of the image processing section311 in the case where the positions of the logarithm conversionprocessing sections 381 and 382 and the logarithm reverse conversionprocessing section 386, that are included in the HDR combinationsections 361 to 365, are changed so as to carry out the logarithmconversion processing before the interpolation means, and the logarithmreverse conversion processing is carried out after the down samplingsection 401.

The image processing section 311 shown in FIG. 22 and the imageprocessing section 311′″ (″′ is assigned for distinguishing it fromother image processing sections 311) shown in FIG. 30 will be compared.In the image processing section 311″′, a logarithm conversion processingsection 451 that carries out the logarithm conversion processing on theRAW data in which pixels subjected to the two types of exposures, thatis, the long exposure and the short exposure, are mixed in the 4-rowcolor arrangement including the input W pixels, is provided before theWL high-frequency interpolation section 351 to the BS low-frequencyinterpolation section 360. This point is the same as the imageprocessing section 311″ shown in FIG. 29.

In the image processing section 311′″, a down sampling section 452 isprovided subsequent to the W-GCh correlation processing section 366 tothe W-BCh correlation processing section 368. Similar to the downsampling section 401 of the image processing section 311′ shown in FIG.28, the down sampling section 452 down-samples the outputs from theW-GCh correlation processing section 366 to the W-BCh correlationprocessing section 368 to generate and output data converted into theRGB Bayer arrangement in the image pickup device.

The output from the down sampling section 452 is supplied to thelogarithm reverse conversion processing section 453 to be subjected tothe logarithm reverse conversion processing.

As such a structure, a structure of generating and outputting dataconverted into the RGB Bayer arrangement in the image pickup device canalso be taken.

It should be noted that in the structure of the image processing section311′″ shown in FIG. 30, it is also possible to not perform the logarithmreverse conversion in the image pickup device and perform the logarithmreverse conversion in the image processing section after outputting theBayer data from the image pickup device (not shown).

Further, although the image pickup apparatus has been exemplified in thefifth embodiment of the present technique, the embodiments of thepresent technique are also applicable to an electronic apparatusincluding an image pickup section having an image pickup device (e.g.,cellular phone apparatus having built-in image pickup section).

Moreover, although three control lines provided per row and operationsthereof have been described presupposing the RGB+W color arrangementshown in FIG. 1 in the embodiments of the present technique, the colorarrangement is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and there are othercolor arrangements that bear the same effects with the same mechanism.The present technique is not limited to the color arrangement shown inFIG. 1. In the following, examples of the color arrangement to which thepresent technique is applicable, other than that shown in FIG. 1, willbe described.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing another example of the color arrangement towhich the present technique is applicable. The structure of the imagesensor in the horizontal direction (lateral direction or row directionin FIG. 31) will be described. In the first row, the W pixel 600 (1, 1),the G pixel 600 (1, 2), the W pixel 600 (1, 3), the R pixel 600 (1, 4),the W pixel 600 (1, 5), the G pixel 600 (1, 6), the W pixel 600 (1, 7),and the R pixel 600 (1, 8) are arranged. In this case, the W pixels, theG pixels, and the R pixels are arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the G pixel 600 (2, 1), the W pixel 600 (2, 2), the Rpixel 600 (2, 3), the W pixel 600 (2, 4), the G pixel 600 (2, 5), the Wpixel 600 (2, 6), the R pixel 600 (2, 7), and the W pixel 600 (2, 8) arearranged. In this case, the W pixels, the G pixels, and the R pixels arearranged in the second row.

In the third row, the W pixel 600 (3, 1), the B pixel 600 (3, 2), the Wpixel 600 (3, 3), the G pixel 600 (3, 4), the W pixel 600 (3, 5), the Bpixel 600 (3, 6), the W pixel 600 (3, 7), and the G pixel 600 (3, 8) arearranged. In this case, the W pixels, the G pixels, and the B pixels arearranged in the third row.

In the fourth row, the B pixel 600 (4, 1), the W pixel 600 (4, 2), the Gpixel 600 (4, 3), the W pixel 600 (4, 4), the B pixel 600 (4, 5), the Wpixel 600 (4, 6), the G pixel 600 (4, 7), and the W pixel 600 (4, 8) arearranged. In this case, the W pixels, the G pixels, and the B pixels arearranged in the fourth row.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such a colorarrangement.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing another example of the color arrangement towhich the present technique is applicable. The structure of the imagesensor in the horizontal direction (lateral direction or row directionin FIG. 32) will be described. In the first row, the W pixel 610 (1, 1),the R pixel 610 (1, 2), the W pixel 610 (1, 3), the G pixel 610 (1, 4),the W pixel 610 (1, 5), the R pixel 610 (1, 6), the W pixel 610 (1, 7),and the G pixel 610 (1, 8) are arranged. In this case, the W pixels, theG pixels, and the R pixels are arranged in the first row.

In the second row, the B pixel 610 (2, 1), the W pixel 610 (2, 2), the Gpixel 610 (2, 3), the W pixel 610 (2, 4), the B pixel 610 (2, 5), the Wpixel 610 (2, 6), the G pixel 610 (2, 7), and the W pixel 610 (2, 8) arearranged. In this case, the W pixels, the G pixels, and the B pixels arearranged in the second row.

In the third row, the W pixel 610 (3, 1), the G pixel 610 (3, 2), the Wpixel 610 (3, 3), the R pixel 610 (3, 4), the W pixel 610 (3, 5), the Gpixel 610 (3, 6), the W pixel 610 (3, 7), and the R pixel 610 (3, 8) arearranged. In this case, the W pixels, the G pixels, and the R pixels arearranged in the third row.

In the fourth row, the G pixel 610 (4, 1), the W pixel 610 (4, 2), the Bpixel 610 (4, 3), the W pixel 610 (4, 4), the G pixel 610 (4, 5), the Wpixel 610 (4, 6), the B pixel 610 (4, 7), and the W pixel 610 (4, 8) arearranged. In this case, the W pixels, the G pixels, and the B pixels arearranged in the fourth row.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such a colorarrangement.

The three control lines provided per line and the operations thereofdescribed in the embodiments above are also applicable to the colorarrangements shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

The present technique is also applicable to exposure patterns other thanthose shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6. In the following, examples of theexposure control pattern that can be realized by the three control linesprovided per line described in the embodiments of the present techniquewill be described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 40.

Combinations of exposure patterns and color arrangements that can berealized by combining the exposure patterns shown in FIGS. 33 to 40 andthe color arrangements shown in FIGS. 1, 31, and 32 are all within theapplicable range of the present technique. Further, the presenttechnique is also applicable to the combinations of exposure patternsand color arrangements that are not shown, and those combinations arealso within the applicable range of the present technique.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern.FIGS. 33 to 40 show only the exposure patterns, and color arrangementsare not shown. Therefore, in FIGS. 33 to 40, the long exposure pixelsare represented by “L” and described as L pixels, and the short exposurepixels are represented by “S” and described as S pixels.

The exposure pattern shown in FIG. 33 is an example where the longexposure pixels and the short exposure pixels are arranged alternatelyin rows, that is, an example where the long exposure pixels and theshort exposure pixels are arranged in a row unit. Specifically, the longexposure pixels are arranged in the first, third, fifth, and seventhrows, and the short exposure pixels are arranged in the second, fourth,sixth, and eighth rows. The present technique described above is alsoapplicable to such an exposure pattern.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern.The exposure pattern shown in FIG. 34 is an example where the longexposure pixels and the short exposure pixels are arranged alternatelyin columns, that is, an example where the long exposure pixels and theshort exposure pixels are arranged in a column unit. Specifically, thelong exposure pixels are arranged in the first, third, fifth, andseventh columns, and the short exposure pixels are arranged in thesecond, fourth, sixth, and eighth columns. The present techniquedescribed above is also applicable to such an exposure pattern.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern. Inthe first row in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 35, the L pixel 640(1, 1), the L pixel 640 (1, 2), the L pixel 640 (1, 3), the S pixel 640(1, 4), the L pixel 640 (1, 5), the L pixel 640 (1, 6), the L pixel 640(1, 7), and the S pixel 640 (1, 8) are arranged.

In the second row, the S pixel 640 (2, 1), the S pixel 640 (2, 2), the Lpixel 640 (2, 3), the S pixel 640 (2, 4), the S pixel 640 (2, 5), the Spixel 640 (2, 6), the L pixel 640 (2, 7), and the S pixel 640 (2, 8) arearranged.

In the third row, the L pixel 640 (3, 1), the S pixel 640 (3, 2), the Lpixel 640 (3, 3), the L pixel 640 (3, 4), the L pixel 640 (3, 5), the Spixel 640 (3, 6), the L pixel 640 (3, 7), and the L pixel 640 (3, 8) arearranged.

In the fourth row, the L pixel 640 (4, 1), the S pixel 640 (4, 2), the Spixel 640 (4, 3), the S pixel 640 (4, 4), the L pixel 640 (4, 5), the Spixel 640 (4, 6), the S pixel 640 (4, 7), and the S pixel 640 (4, 8) arearranged.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such anexposure pattern.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern. Inthe first row in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 36, the L pixel 650(1, 1), the S pixel 650 (1, 2), the L pixel 650 (1, 3), the L pixel 650(1, 4), the L pixel 650 (1, 5), the S pixel 650 (1, 6), the L pixel 650(1, 7), and the L pixel 650 (1, 8) are arranged.

In the second row, the L pixel 650 (2, 1), the S pixel 650 (2, 2), the Spixel 650 (2, 3), the S pixel 650 (2, 4), the L pixel 650 (2, 5), the Spixel 650 (2, 6), the S pixel 650 (2, 7), and the S pixel 650 (2, 8) arearranged.

In the third row, the pixels are all L pixels. In the fourth row, thepixels are all S pixels.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such anexposure pattern.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern. Inthe first row in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 37, the L pixel 660(1, 1), the L pixel 660 (1, 2), the L pixel 660 (1, 3), the S pixel 660(1, 4), the L pixel 660 (1, 5), the L pixel 660 (1, 6), the L pixel 660(1, 7), and the S pixel 660 (1, 8) are arranged.

In the second row, the S pixel 660 (2, 1), the S pixel 660 (2, 2), the Lpixel 660 (2, 3), the S pixel 660 (2, 4), the S pixel 660 (2, 5), the Spixel 660 (2, 6), the L pixel 660 (2, 7), and the S pixel 660 (2, 8) arearranged.

In the third row, the L pixel 660 (3, 1), the S pixel 660 (3, 2), the Lpixel 660 (3, 3), the L pixel 660 (3, 4), the L pixel 660 (3, 5), the Spixel 660 (3, 6), the L pixel 660 (3, 7), and the L pixel 660 (3, 8) arearranged.

In the fourth row, the S pixel 660 (4, 1), the S pixel 660 (4, 2), the Lpixel 660 (4, 3), the S pixel 660 (4, 4), the S pixel 660 (4, 5), the Spixel 660 (4, 6), the L pixel 660 (4, 7), and the S pixel 660 (4, 8) arearranged.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such anexposure pattern.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern. Inthe first row in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 38, the L pixel 670(1, 1), the L pixel 670 (1, 2), the L pixel 670 (1, 3), the S pixel 670(1, 4), the L pixel 670 (1, 5), the L pixel 670 (1, 6), the L pixel 670(1, 7), and the S pixel 670 (1, 8) are arranged.

In the second row, the L pixel 670 (2, 1), the S pixel 670 (2, 2), the Lpixel 670 (2, 3), the S pixel 670 (2, 4), the L pixel 670 (2, 5), the Spixel 670 (2, 6), the L pixel 670 (2, 7), and the S pixel 670 (2, 8) arearranged.

In the third row, the L pixel 670 (3, 1), the S pixel 670 (3, 2), the Lpixel 670 (3, 3), the L pixel 670 (3, 4), the L pixel 670 (3, 5), the Spixel 670 (3, 6), the L pixel 670 (3, 7), and the L pixel 670 (3, 8) arearranged.

In the fourth row, the pixels are all S pixels. The fifth to eighth rowshave the same arrangements as the first to fourth rows. The presenttechnique is also applicable to such an exposure pattern.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern. Inthe first row in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 39, the pixels areall L pixels.

In the second row, the L pixel 680 (2, 1), the S pixel 680 (2, 2), the Spixel 680 (2, 3), the S pixel 680 (2, 4), the L pixel 680 (2, 5), the Spixel 680 (2, 6), the S pixel 680 (2, 7), and the S pixel 680 (2, 8) arearranged.

In the third row, the L pixel 680 (3, 1), the S pixel 680 (3, 2), the Lpixel 680 (3, 3), the S pixel 680 (3, 4), the L pixel 680 (3, 5), the Spixel 680 (3, 6), the L pixel 680 (3, 7), and the S pixel 680 (3, 8) arearranged.

In the fourth row, the L pixel 680 (4, 1), the S pixel 680 (4, 2), the Spixel 680 (4, 3), the S pixel 680 (4, 4), the L pixel 680 (4, 5), the Spixel 680 (4, 6), the S pixel 680 (4, 7), and the S pixel 680 (4, 8) arearranged.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such anexposure pattern.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing another example of the exposure pattern. Inthe first row in the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 40, the L pixel 690(1, 1), the S pixel 690 (1, 2), the L pixel 690 (1, 3), the S pixel 690(1, 4), the L pixel 690 (1, 5), the S pixel 690 (1, 6), the L pixel 690(1, 7), and the S pixel 690 (1, 8) are arranged.

In the second row, the pixels are all S pixels. In the third row, thepixels are all L pixels. In the fourth row, the L pixel 690 (4, 1), theS pixel 690 (4, 2), the L pixel 690 (4, 3), the S pixel 690 (4, 4), theL pixel 690 (4, 5), the S pixel 690 (4, 6), the L pixel 690 (4, 7), andthe S pixel 690 (4, 8) are arranged as in the first row.

The fifth to eighth rows have the same arrangements as the first tofourth rows. The present technique is also applicable to such anexposure pattern.

It should be noted that although the case where the spectralsensitivities of the pixels in the image pickup device are RGB+W hasbeen exemplified in the embodiments described above, the types ofspectral sensitivities are not to be limited in applying the presenttechnique. In other words, pixels having spectral sensitivities otherthan RGB+W may be used. For example, a combination of 4 rows in which Gis added to complementary colors such as Y (yellow), C (cyan), and M(magenta) may be used.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present technique is notlimited to the embodiments described above and can be variously modifiedwithout departing from the gist of the present technique.

The present technique may also take the following structures.

(1) An image pickup device, including

pixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities, that include pixelshaving a panchromatic spectral sensitivity and are arranged on an imagepickup surface,

pixels that realize a first exposure and pixels that realize a secondexposure different from the first exposure being arranged on the imagepickup surface with respect to the 4 types of spectral sensitivities.

(2) The image pickup device according to (1) above,

in which a first line in which first pixels having the panchromaticspectral sensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in a specificdirection and a second line in which the first pixels are arranged whiledeviating by one pixel from the first line in the specific direction arearranged alternately in a direction orthogonal to the specificdirection, and

in which pixels having spectral sensitivities different from thespectral sensitivity of the first pixels are arranged in a 2- or 4-pixelcycle in the specific direction for each of the spectral sensitivitiesand 2-dimensionally constitute a cyclic arrangement of 4×4 pixels inwhich the first spectral sensitivity pixels are arranged in acheckerboard arrangement.

(3) The image pickup device according to (2) above, further including

three pixel transfer control signal lines per line, each pixel transfercontrol signal line being used for controlling an exposure start timingand end timing of a plurality of pixels constituting the 1 line in thespecific direction,

in which:

a first pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the first line transmits a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 2-pixel cycle in the firstline and have the same spectral sensitivity;

a second pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the first line transmits a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle in the firstline and have the same spectral sensitivity;

a third pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the first line transmits a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle in the firstline and have the same spectral sensitivity;

the first pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the second line transmits a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 2-pixel cycle in thesecond line and have the same spectral sensitivity;

the second pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the second line transmits a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle in thesecond line and have the same spectral sensitivity;

the third pixel transfer control signal line out of the pixel transfercontrol signal lines in the second line transmits a transfer controlsignal to the pixels that are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle in thesecond line and have the same spectral sensitivity; and

each of the pixel transfer control signal lines transmits a pixeltransfer control signal at a first timing to realize the first exposureor a second timing to realize the second exposure.

(4) The image pickup device according to (3) above, in which:

one A/D converter is shared by two adjacent pixels in the specificdirection; and

exposure timings of the two adjacent pixels are shifted using at leasttwo of the pixel transfer control signal lines.

(5) The image pickup device according to any one of (1) to (4) above,

in which one floating diffusion is shared by a pixel group constitutedof a plurality of pixels.

(6) The image pickup device according to (3) above, in which:

the cyclic arrangement of 4×4 pixels includes the first line in whichthe first pixels and second pixels having a second spectral sensitivityare arranged alternately in the specific direction and the second linein which the first pixels are arranged in the 2-pixel cycle and thirdpixels having a third spectral sensitivity and fourth pixels having afourth spectral sensitivity are arranged in the 4-pixel cycle atremaining pixel positions in the specific direction, the first line andthe second line being arranged alternately in a direction orthogonal tothe specific direction.

(7) The image pickup device according to (6) above, in which:

the first pixel transfer control signal line of the first line and thefirst pixel transfer control signal line of the second line arecontrolled to transmit control signals at different timings;

the second pixel transfer control signal line and the third pixeltransfer control signal line of the first line are controlled totransmit control signals at different timings;

the second pixel transfer control signal line of the second line and thepixel transfer control signal line with respect to the third pixels in afourth line are controlled to transmit control signals at differenttimings; and

the pixel transfer control signal line with respect to the fourth pixelsin the second line and the pixel transfer control signal line withrespect to the fourth pixels in the fourth line are controlled totransmit control signals at different timings.

(8) The image pickup device according to any one of (1) to (7) above,further including, at each pixel position:

a first processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the first exposure of the first spectral sensitivity at thepixel position;

a second processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the second exposure of the first spectral sensitivity at thepixel position;

a third processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the first exposure of the second spectral sensitivity at thepixel position;

a fourth processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the second exposure of the second spectral sensitivity atthe pixel position;

a fifth processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the first exposure of a third spectral sensitivity at thepixel position;

a sixth processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the second exposure of the third spectral sensitivity at thepixel position;

a seventh processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the first exposure of a fourth spectral sensitivity at thepixel position; and

an eighth processing section that calculates an interpolation value ofsignals for the second exposure of the fourth spectral sensitivity atthe pixel position.

(9) The image pickup device according to (8) above, further including

a ninth processing section that calculates, from the interpolationvalues of the signals for the first exposure or the second exposure ofthe first to fourth spectral sensitivities at the pixel position, thathave been calculated by the first to eighth processing sections, acombined interpolation value of the second spectral sensitivity, thethird spectral sensitivity, and the fourth spectral sensitivity.

(10) The image pickup device according to (9) above, further including

a conversion section that converts the interpolation value output fromthe ninth processing section into a Bayer arrangement.

(11) The image pickup device according to (9) above,

in which the ninth processing section includes processing of convertingsignals read out from the pixels into a nonlinear gradation.

(12) The image pickup device according to (11) above,

in which the processing of converting signals into a nonlinear gradationincludes processing of converting signals based on upwardly-convex powerfunction characteristic.

(13) The image pickup device according to (11) above,

in which the processing of converting signals into a nonlinear gradationincludes processing of converting signals based on logarithm gradationcharacteristics.

(14) The image pickup device according to (9) above, further including:

a logarithm conversion processing section that logarithmically convertssignals from the pixels arranged on the image pickup surface; and

a logarithm reverse conversion processing section that logarithmicallyreverse-converts the interpolation value output from the ninthprocessing section,

in which the first to eighth processing sections carry out theprocessing using values obtained by the conversion of the logarithmconversion processing section.

(15) The image pickup device according to (10) above, further including:

a logarithm conversion processing section that logarithmically convertssignals from the pixels arranged on the image pickup surface; and

a logarithm reverse conversion processing section that logarithmicallyreverse-converts the interpolation value output from the conversionsection,

in which the first to eighth processing sections carry out theprocessing using values obtained by the conversion of the logarithmconversion processing section.

(16) An image pickup method for an image pickup device including pixelshaving 4 types of spectral sensitivities, that include pixels having apanchromatic spectral sensitivity and are arranged on an image pickupsurface,

pixels that realize a first exposure and pixels that realize a secondexposure different from the first exposure being arranged on the imagepickup surface with respect to the 4 types of spectral sensitivities,

a first line in which first pixels having the panchromatic spectralsensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in a specific directionand a second line in which the first pixels are arranged while deviatingby one pixel from the first line in the specific direction beingarranged alternately in a direction orthogonal to the specificdirection, and

pixels having spectral sensitivities different from the spectralsensitivity of the first pixels being arranged in a 2- or 4-pixel cyclein the specific direction for each of the spectral sensitivities and2-dimensionally constituting a cyclic arrangement of 4×4 pixels in whichthe first spectral sensitivity pixels are arranged in a checkerboardarrangement,

the method including the step of

transmitting, to three pixel transfer control signal lines provided perline, each pixel transfer control signal line being used for controllingan exposure start timing and end timing of a plurality of pixelsconstituting the 1 line in the specific direction, a pixel transfercontrol signal at a first timing to realize the first exposure or asecond timing to realize the second exposure.

(17) A program that causes a computer to control an image pickup deviceincluding pixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities, that includepixels having a panchromatic spectral sensitivity and are arranged on animage pickup surface,

pixels that realize a first exposure and pixels that realize a secondexposure different from the first exposure being arranged on the imagepickup surface with respect to the 4 types of spectral sensitivities,

a first line in which first pixels having the panchromatic spectralsensitivity are arranged in a two-pixel cycle in a specific directionand a second line in which the first pixels are arranged while deviatingby one pixel from the first line in the specific direction beingarranged alternately in a direction orthogonal to the specificdirection, and

pixels having spectral sensitivities different from the spectralsensitivity of the first pixels being arranged in a 2- or 4-pixel cyclein the specific direction for each of the spectral sensitivities and2-dimensionally constituting a cyclic arrangement of 4×4 pixels in whichthe first spectral sensitivity pixels are arranged in a checkerboardarrangement,

the program including processing including the step of

transmitting, to three pixel transfer control signal lines provided perline, each pixel transfer control signal line being used for controllingan exposure start timing and end timing of a plurality of pixelsconstituting the 1 line in the specific direction, a pixel transfercontrol signal at a first timing to realize the first exposure or asecond timing to realize the second exposure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

-   20 pixel-   21-24 pixel transfer control signal line-   300 image pickup apparatus-   310 image pickup device-   311 image processing section-   312 recording control section-   313 content storage section-   314 display control section-   315 display section-   316 control section-   317 operation reception section-   351 WL high-frequency interpolation section-   352 WS high-frequency interpolation section-   353 WL low-frequency interpolation section-   354 WS low-frequency interpolation section-   355 GL low-frequency interpolation section-   356 GS low-frequency interpolation section-   357 RL low-frequency interpolation section-   358 RS low-frequency interpolation section-   359 BL low-frequency interpolation section-   360 BS low-frequency interpolation section-   361 W high-frequency HDR combination section-   362 W low-frequency HDR combination section-   363 G low-frequency HDR combination section-   364 R low-frequency HDR combination section-   365 B low-frequency HDR combination section-   366 W-GCh correlation processing section-   367 W-RCh correlation processing section-   368 W-BCh correlation processing section

1-17. (canceled)
 18. An image pickup device, comprising a plurality ofpixels having 4 types of spectral sensitivities and arranged accordingto a predetermined pattern comprising: $\quad\begin{matrix}{WL} & {GL} & {WL} & {GS} \\{RL} & {WS} & {BL} & {WS} \\{WL} & {GS} & {WL} & {GL} \\{BS} & {WS} & {RS} & {WS}\end{matrix}$ wherein WL indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident white light by a long exposure, wherein WSindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident white light by a short exposure, wherein RL indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident red light by along exposure, wherein RS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident red light by a short exposure, wherein GLindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident green light by a long exposure, wherein GS indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident green light bya short exposure, wherein BL indicates a pixel configured to output apixel signal according to incident blue light by a long exposure,wherein BS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signalaccording to incident blue light by a short exposure.
 19. The imagepickup device according to claim 1, wherein one A/D converter is sharedby two adjacent pixels.
 20. The image pickup device according to claim1, wherein one floating diffusion is shared by two adjacent pixels. 21.An image pickup device, comprising a plurality of pixels having 4 typesof spectral sensitivities and arranged according to a predeterminedpattern comprising: $\quad\begin{matrix}{WL} & {GL} & {WL} & {GS} \\{RL} & {WS} & {BS} & {WS} \\{WL} & {GS} & {WL} & {GL} \\{BL} & {WS} & {RS} & {WS}\end{matrix}$ wherein WL indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident white light by a long exposure, wherein WSindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident white light by a short exposure, wherein RL indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident red light by along exposure, wherein RS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident red light by a short exposure, wherein GLindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident green light by a long exposure, wherein GS indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident green light bya short exposure, wherein BL indicates a pixel configured to output apixel signal according to incident blue light by a long exposure,wherein BS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signalaccording to incident blue light by a short exposure.
 22. The imagepickup device according to claim 4, wherein one A/D converter is sharedby two adjacent pixels.
 23. The image pickup device according to claim4, wherein one floating diffusion is shared by two adjacent pixels. 24.An image pickup device, comprising a plurality of pixels having 4 typesof spectral sensitivities and arranged according to a predeterminedpattern comprising: $\quad\begin{matrix}{WL} & {GL} & {WL} & {GS} \\{RL} & {WS} & {BL} & {WS} \\{WL} & {GS} & {WL} & {GS} \\{BS} & {WS} & {RS} & {WS}\end{matrix}$ wherein WL indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident white light by a long exposure, wherein WSindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident white light by a short exposure, wherein RL indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident red light by along exposure, wherein RS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident red light by a short exposure, wherein GLindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident green light by a long exposure, wherein GS indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident green light bya short exposure, wherein BL indicates a pixel configured to output apixel signal according to incident blue light by a long exposure,wherein BS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signalaccording to incident blue light by a short exposure.
 25. The imagepickup device according to claim 7, wherein one A/D converter is sharedby two adjacent pixels.
 26. The image pickup device according to claim7, wherein one floating diffusion is shared by two adjacent pixels. 27.An image pickup device, comprising a plurality of pixels having 4 typesof spectral sensitivities and arranged according to a predeterminedpattern comprising: $\quad\begin{matrix}{WL} & {GL} & {WL} & {GS} \\{RL} & {WS} & {BS} & {WS} \\{WL} & {GS} & {WL} & {GS} \\{BL} & {WS} & {RS} & {WS}\end{matrix}$ wherein WL indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident white light by a long exposure, wherein WSindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident white light by a short exposure, wherein RL indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident red light by along exposure, wherein RS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixelsignal according to incident red light by a short exposure, wherein GLindicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signal according toincident green light by a long exposure, wherein GS indicates a pixelconfigured to output a pixel signal according to incident green light bya short exposure, wherein BL indicates a pixel configured to output apixel signal according to incident blue light by a long exposure,wherein BS indicates a pixel configured to output a pixel signalaccording to incident blue light by a short exposure.
 28. The imagepickup device according to claim 10, wherein one A/D converter is sharedby two adjacent pixels.
 29. The image pickup device according to claim10, wherein one floating diffusion is shared by two adjacent pixels.